Biden Honors Memorial Day at Arlington with Speech

President Joe Biden will participate in Memorial Day services at Arlington National Cemetery and give remarks at the 156th National Memorial Day Observance. The ceremony will include a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and participation from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles Brown. Memorial Day honors soldiers who died in war while serving the country, and is seen by many as the unofficial start of summer.

Biden's involvement also includes a breakfast with administration officials, military leadership, veterans, and Gold Star family members. The president has often reflected on the death of his son, Beau Biden, who he believes was affected by toxic burn pits during his military service. In 2022, Biden signed the bipartisan PACT Act, which expanded health care benefits for veterans exposed to such conditions. Following the Memorial Day events, Biden will travel to Normandy, France, to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Congress credits Waterloo, New York, with originating Memorial Day, though several towns claim to have started the holiday.