USA: American leaders honour war dead in Veterans Day ceremonies

U.S. leaders remember those serving in Iraq and those who lost their lives in war during Veterans Day ceremonies. U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney honoured the nation's veterans Sunday (November 11) at a wreath-laying ceremony in Arlington, Virginia. As taps were played, the Vice President laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. Hundreds of veterans and their families gathered for the ceremony. The Vice President said the nation is "proud" of the soldiers fighting in Iraq today. "The conduct of our military today as throughout our nation's history makes this country very proud and it's our prayer that they'll return in victory safely home to live out their lives and to be here to observe many veterans days in years to come," he said. Across the Potomac River, veterans of the Vietnam War gathered to honour their dead and to mark the 25th anniversary of the Vietnam War Memorial. General Colin Powell, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, described the Wall as "magic." "How could this gravestone to those who died in America's most controversial and perhaps most unpopular war come to occupy such a wonderful, remarkable place in America's most collective heart?" he asked. The polished black granite wall is engraved with the names of more than 58,000 members of the U.S. military who were killed in Vietnam.

ITN Source | November 12, 2007

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