President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris honored the nation’s service members on Veteran’s Day.
Monday’s ceremony in Arlington National Cemetery marked their first joint public appearance since Harris’s election loss to President-elect Donald Trump in the presidential election last week.
The Veteran’s Day tribute is an annual tradition to honor all who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
Biden participated in the Presidential Armed Forces Full Honor Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The sacred memorial site in Arlington honors the legacy of the nation’s armed forces.
“Today, we honor generations of America’s veterans—patriots who have stood on the frontlines of freedom and kept the light of liberty shining bright around the world,” Biden wrote in a post on the X social media platform ahead of the ceremony. “May we all strive to be worthy of their sacrifices for us.”
First Lady Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff also attended Monday’s ceremony.
Biden later delivered remarks at the National Veterans Day Observance at Arlington’s Memorial Amphitheater.
“You are the greatest fighting force in the history of the world! “Biden said during his speech.
The president noted that it would be his last time to stand at Arlington National Cemetery as commander-in-chief, adding that “it has been a great honor to defend you, just as you defended us.”
Biden said that the nation has many obligations, but only one truly sacred obligation: “To prepare those we send into harm’s way, and to care for them and their families when they return home—and when they don’t.”
The president touted his administration’s efforts to support the country’s veterans, stating that during his term, “we brought veteran homelessness down to a record low.”
Too many U.S. service members have served abroad and sacrificed, only to come home and suffer, Biden said. That’s why he signed the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, which the president called the most significant expansion of benefits and services for veterans exposed to toxins in more than 30 years.
Biden also revealed that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will expand the amount of cancers covered under its health care services.
According to the White House, Biden has signed more than 34 bipartisan laws to support veterans and their families. To date, more than 1.1 million veterans and 11,000 survivors of deceased veterans are receiving new “service-connected disability benefits” and more than 5.8 million veterans have been screened for toxic exposure, the White House says.
In May, the VA announced that veterans’ trust in the department had reached an all-time high of 80.4 percent—up from 55 percent when the survey began in 2016. The data was based on a survey of 38,293 veterans who used a wide range of VA services between January 1 and March 31, including health care and disability compensation benefits.
Biden also paid tribute in his remarks to his late son Beau Biden, who served in Iraq.
Harris did not offer any public remarks.
Meanwhile, the Department of Defense thanked veterans for their service and dedication to the country.
“Let’s take a moment to recognize the bravery, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication of all our veterans,” the official DOD account wrote in a post on X. “Your courage has shaped our freedom, and we are forever grateful. Thank you for standing up and answering the call. Today, we salute you!”
President-elect Trump paid tribute to veterans on his Truth Social platform. Trump has no publicly announced scheduled events for Veteran’s Day.