President Barack Obama made an unannounced visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day, to the surprise of 30 of the 98 living recipients of the Medal of Honor who were there to attend a wreath-laying ceremony.On Memorial Day the nation paid a tribute to its fallen heroes and urged yet another time, an end to the war in Afghanistan and Iraq.

On a weekly address on Saturday, President Obama had said, “Our fighting men and women - and the military families who love them - embody what is best in America. And we have a responsibility to serve all of them as well as they serve all of us,” he said. “Yet, all too often in recent years and decades, we, as a nation, have failed to live up to that responsibility. We have failed to give them the support they need or pay them the respect they deserve. That is a betrayal of the sacred trust that America has with all who wear - and all who have worn - the proud uniform of our country.”

President Obama was seen holding his hand over his heart and accompanied by the Vice-President elect Joe Biden and Gen. Richard Rowe, commander of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington. Also accompanying the President were retired Navy Lieutenant John W. Finn, a 92-year old veteran of World War II; retired Navy Captain Thomas J. Hudner, an 84-year old Korean War veteran; retired Air Force Colonel Joe M. Jackson, an 85-year old Vietnam War veteran; and retired Army Colonel Robert L. Howard, a 69-year old Vietnam veteran.