Obama: Love for U.S. drives best Americans

ASSOCIATED PRESS

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President Obama begins his Memorial Day remarks at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Ill., before a fierce rainstorm canceled yesterday's observance. CHARLES REX ARBOGAST / AP Enlarge

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. - President Obama said yesterday the meaning of Memorial Day is found in the story of ordinary Americans who become extraordinary for one simple reason: love of country.

Mr. Obama spoke to dozens of troops at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington after his Illinois trip was washed out by a storm. He said the nation's fallen heroes had such a deep love of country that they willingly sacrificed their own lives to protect it.

"In this time of war, we pay special tribute to the thousands of Americans who have given their lives during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and who have earned their place among the greatest of generations," Mr. Obama said last evening.

Vice President Joe Biden earlier made the more traditional appearance at Arlington National Cemetery on Mr. Obama's behalf, saying the country has "a sacred obligation" to make sure its servicemen and women are the best-equipped and best-supported troops in the world.

"They gave their lives fulfilling their oath to this nation and to us," Mr. Biden said.

Mr. Obama had readied a similar message for his appearance at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Ill., and had taken the lectern to give the address when the skies opened up with a downpour and thunder, lightning, and high winds.

Mr. Obama told thousands gathered, "a little bit of rain doesn't hurt anybody, but we don't want anybody being struck by lightning."

He asked people to return to their cars for their safety, and retreated to an administration building on the cemetery's grounds. A few minutes later, Mr. Obama boarded one of a pair of buses to greet military families who came for the event.

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