In a ceremony that marks his first public appearance with Kamala Harris since her election defeat, US President Joe Biden told US veterans on Monday that the privilege of serving as commander-in-chief has been the greatest he has ever known in his life.
The historic Arlington National Cemetery was also the venue for the first public appearance of Vice President Harris since her November 6 speech where she conceded the presidential election to Donald Trump.
Democrats, facing a painful reckoning over their drubbing, have begun soul-searching internal discussions -- and some not-so-private blaming -- over what led to Harris's loss, with some pointing to Biden's initial insistence on running again at age 81, despite having promised to be a bridge president to the next generation.
Far more muted has been criticism of Harris herself: Biden showered praise on Harris last Thursday in a televised White House address.
Earlier Monday, Biden hosted veterans at the White House to observe the holiday before heading to Arlington, the resting place of two presidents, five-star generals, and some 400,000 veterans of major U.S. conflicts dating back to the Revolutionary War.
Biden and Harris placed their hands against their hearts at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier prior to laying a wreath.
"This is the last time I will stand here at Arlington as commander-in-chief," the president said in an address. "It's been the greatest honor of my life to lead you, to serve you, to care for you, to defend you -- just as you defended us, generation after generation after generation."
Biden spoke of his visits to veterans cemeteries in Europe, adding he would never forget "standing in the cliffs of Normandy, 80 years after D-Day, to honor the servicemembers and veterans who literally saved the world."
Afterwards, as "God Bless America" played, Biden dabbed both eyes with a handkerchief.
The ceremony came shortly before Biden hosts Trump at the White House on Wednesday.
The Republican has begun naming loyalists to his new administration. He declared he is bringing back into the fold a hardline immigration official, Tom Homan, to be his so-called "border czar," and rightwing congresswoman Elise Stefanik to be US ambassador to the United Nations.
Trump himself has long claimed he is a fierce supporter of America's military, but he has made a series of provocative comments about veterans.
His longest-serving White House chief of staff, retired general John Kelly, has said the Republican leader privately disparaged US servicemembers, including describing those who died or were imprisoned defending America as "suckers" and "losers."
Trump denies the accusation.
But the soon-to-be 47th president has been on record expressing contempt for late American war hero and senator John McCain, who spent years in a Hanoi prison during the Vietnam War.
He posted a photo of himself saluting in front of the flag of America on his social media Monday with the caption: "Happy Veterans Day 2024."
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