Arlington National Cemetery's Memorial Day Service: Obama urged action

President Barack Obama lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, Monday, May 25, 2009, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Today, Memorial Day 2009, President Obama laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns (also known at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier) at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Immediately afterwards, the President addressed the crowd gathered at the Memorial Amphitheater and to a listening nation.

Obama spoke about those "who were willing to give up everything for the defense of our freedom." 

He said he was "humbled to be the Commander and Chief of the finest fighting force in the history of the world." Applause interrupted his words.

President Obama continued with thoughts of what he didn't know: he didn't know what it was to serve in war as his grandfather had; he didn't know what it was to lose a child in a war. From those and other evocative truths, Obama went on to speak of the things he did know:

I know what a grateful nation owes to those who serve under its proud flag....

This bustling graveyard can be a restless place for the living. Where solace sometimes comes only from meeting others who know similiar grief. But it reminds us all the meaning of valor. It reminds us all of our own obligations to one another.

It recounts that most precious aspect of our history and tells us that we will only rise or fall together.

So on this day of silent remembrance and solemn prayer, I ask all Americans, wherever you are, [whoever] you are with, whatever you are doing, to pause in national unity at 3:00 this afternoon. I ask you to ring a bell or offer a prayer. Say a silent thank you, and commit to giving back something to this nation, something lasting...."

Many presidents have spoken at Arlington National Cemetery throughout our country's history. This sacred site of living history holds special significance to the wives who have lost husbands, to the children who have lost parents and to the parents who have lost an adult child.

Today, President Obama remembered the fallen, and he charged Americans to take action in grateful response to their sacrifices.