Arlington National Cemetery celebrates Veterans Day with flyover, procession, Biden visit

Publish date: 2024-05-27

ARLINGTON, Va. (7News) — This Veterans Day celebration at Arlington National Cemetery was like no other Thursday as it was also a centennial commemoration of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. President Joe Biden laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Thursday as a part of his first Veterans Day in office as the Commander in Chief. This was just hours after a procession and flyover to celebrate 100 years of the Tomb.

"To all our veterans, past and present, we thank you, we honor you, and we remember always what you’ve done for us," Biden said.

"Today, we pay homage to the unrelenting bravery and dedication that distinguish all those who have earned the title of “American veteran," said Biden.

It’s an honor that not only a small percentage of Americans can claim, and one that marks those who are able to claim it as brothers and sisters. It’s a badge of courage that unites across all ages, regardless of background — because to be a veteran is to have endured and survived challenges most Americans will never know.You’ve come through the trials and testing, braved dangers and deprivations, faced down the tragic realities of war and death."And you’ve done it for us. You’ve done it for America — to defend and serve American values, to protect our country and our Constitution against all enemies, and to lay a stronger, more secure foundation on which future generations can continue to build a more perfect union.

READ: President Biden's full comments

"There's nothing low risk or low cost about war for the women and men who fight it,” said Biden, whose administration earlier in the day announced a federal effort to better understand, identify and treat medical conditions suffered by troops deployed to toxic environments.

Biden also mentioned his late son Beau, who served in Iraq. The president has suggested a potential link between Beau's death from aggressive brain cancer and his exposure to toxins in the air, particularly around massive pits where the military disposes of waste by burning. There’s no scientific evidence to establish that link.

This year's Veterans Day commemoration comes just two months after Biden ordered the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. It was a chaotic ending to America's longest war, which killed 2,461 American service members over the nearly 20-year conflict.

"To be a veteran, you have endured and survived challenges most Americans will never know," he said.

He also paused to remember three high-profile veterans who recently died: Colin Powell, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and secretary of state; Gen. Ray Odierno, an Army chief of staff and top general in Iraq; and Sen. Max Cleland, a Georgia Democrat who lost three limbs while serving in Vietnam.

“You are the very spine of America," Biden said of the nation's veterans.

The public was invited to observe a joint service flyover and full honors procession starting at 9 a.m. ET on Nov. 11.

“It’s our duty to never forget the Americans who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country,” said Ms. Karen Durham-Aguilera, Executive Director of the Office of Army Cemeteries and Arlington National Cemetery. “One hundred years ago, on November 11, 1921, the World War I Unknown Soldier was transported, by a procession, to his final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery. This year, we are recreating elements of that procession, and we invite the public to observe this pivotal moment in American history as thousands of Americans did in 1921.”

LIST: Veterans Day events around the DC area

The procession took place along a special route inside Arlington National Cemetery -- starting at the main gate on Memorial Avenue. Troops from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), U.S. Marine Corps Ceremonial and Guard Company, U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, U.S. Navy Honor Guard, the U.S. Army Band (“Pershing’s Own”) and U.S. Coast Guard Honor Guard moved west to the gates of the cemetery, turned left onto Eisenhower Drive, proceeded to McClellan Drive, passed under McClellan Gate, continued moving up McClellan Drive, and then took a left onto Roosevelt Drive.

The public gathered along Memorial Avenue, Eisenhower Avenue and near McClellan Drive to view the procession.

The Old Guard also presented World War I Doughboy, World War II and Korean War formation to create a historical tie to the wars represented by the Unknowns. Military groups from the original nine countries participating in an inaugural ceremony in 1921 will also attend.

Veterans Day 2021: Deals and freebies for November 11

A joint service flyover will take place over the cemetery concurrently with the procession. Aircraft formations from each service will honor the Unknown Soldiers.

“The efforts today of every service member supporting today’s TUS 100th commemoration represent all service members and honor the Unknown heroes who lie here, warriors who made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Maj. Gen. Allan M. Pepin, commander, Joint Task Force-National Capital Region and U.S. Army Military District of Washington. “As our troops continue to stand watch over this hallowed ground through the next 100 years and beyond, may we always honor and remember those who gave so much to our grateful nation.”

Biden was accompanied by the Honorable Denis McDonough, United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs and ceremony host Maj. Gen. Allan M. Pepin, commanding general, Joint Task Force-National Capital Region and U.S. Army Military District of Washington.

It's was a part of a week-long centennial celebration at Arlington National Cemetery.

READ MORE | Unknown Soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery: The history of honoring them

For two days, the public was allowed to leave flowers and cards at the Tomb -- for the first time ever -- to celebrate 100 years of the Tomb. The Crow Nation were among those that honored the Unknowns.

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Here's what you need to know if you attend:

The centennial procession and aerial review is free and open to the public; no tickets are required. Anyone interested in observing the commemorative events must be along the parade route no later than 8:45 a.m., as there will be no crossing the parade route once it has started. The route is also ADA-accessible and stroller-friendly. The procession will take place rain or shine.

Public access, parking and traffic information are as follows:

Memorial Avenue and Eisenhower Avenue will be closed for short periods of time to accommodate the procession. Family pass holders will not be able to gain access along these roads during these short closures. Expect delays in and around the cemetery to include road closures in the immediate areas.

Family pass holders will not be authorized to drive in the cemetery near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier or park on nearby streets. Presentation of a family pass for your loved one’s grave location will be required when driving near the Memorial Amphitheater.

Additionally, due to COVID protocols, the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs is hosting an invitation-only Presidential Armed Forces Full Honor Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the National Veterans Day Observance at the Memorial Amphitheater immediately following the procession and flyover.

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