by Mark Silva
At 11 am CST today, Veterans' Day, President-elect Barack Obama arrived at a bronze memorial at Chicago's Soldier Field.
Wearing a dark overcoat, the president-elect walked to the memorial with Tammy Duckworth, a wounded Iraq War veteran and director of the Department of Veterans Affairs for Illinois.
With her at his side, he picked up a wreath placed in front of the memorial and carried it a few feet forward, then set it directly in front of the bronze memorial.
Obama bowed his head for a moment, then put his right hand at his forehead, saluted and walked away with Duckworth. Only a few dozen spectators were present on this crisp day.
(Photo of President-elect Obama and Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth at wreath laying ceremony at the Bronze Soldiers Memorial by Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP)
Comments
God bless her and all of our Soldiers. Alive or deceased. Bless Obama also and give him all the strength he will need to lead this Country..This article is really an inspiration..Than you for posting it...
Posted by: Kaye C. | November 11, 2008 1:23 PM
Wouldn't she make a great Secretary of Veterans Affairs? I'm sure she could go in and make sure our wounded veterans are treated in the best way possible.
Posted by: BobinATL | November 11, 2008 1:29 PM
Thank you for remembering our veterans, please work to help to "bring them all the way home "when they return. a veterans mom
Posted by: Joan Najbar | November 11, 2008 1:33 PM
I am a huge Obama supporter, but since he has no military experience(or does he???) and is not yet Commander-in-Chief, is he permitted to salute?
Posted by: Jon | November 11, 2008 1:40 PM
Jon:
A salute like his is a symbol of respect for our fallen heroes. It really has nothing to do with military experience - Ronald Reagan did it all the time.
Posted by: BobinATL | November 11, 2008 1:46 PM
THIS GUY CAN FOOL SOME PEOPLE .BUT. NOT ALL THE PEOPLE. THIS IS THE SAME GUY WHO NEVER WENT TO IRAQ, WHO DENIED THE SURGE WAS WORKING. Only time will tell, just wait when he get the pan by the handle , he will be under you people that voted for him and the media's bus.YOUR hate for MR. BUSH is going to cost you big time this guy was a bad choice, this guy can not run a hot dog stand in CLARK AND ADDISON .what you did was replace evil with more evil
Posted by: anthony williams | November 11, 2008 1:55 PM
Enough is Enouth Obama he is not yet President-
Posted by: Inky | November 11, 2008 2:30 PM
I waited at the Daley Plaza with two war veterans. News reports having the exact wreath-laying location was sparse, only mentioning the "eternal flame." so the three of us we missed out because noon time reports had it a few miles away on the lakefront.
Posted by: John V | November 11, 2008 2:34 PM
Thank you, Barack Obama, for setting exactly the right tone, and for not wasting any time, getting right to work on building a strong administration and showing extraordinary leadership even before you take office. You have energized a demoralized nation. God help you as you take on the mess that your predecessor left.
Posted by: Rose | November 11, 2008 2:53 PM
I'd love to invite you all to honor your family members and friends who have served or are serving in the military by going to www.memoriesofasoldier.com.
May we never forget their dedication to our country!!! God bless them!
Posted by: Jen | November 11, 2008 3:01 PM
My President is ALREADY better than the last one. Better because he has given us some hope. After that stimulus check, Bush just depressed me. This economy where everything is packaged smaller for a higher outrageous price is just killing us. Everything goes up but our incomes. You D right we voted for change. We need to change our HEARTS towards eachother as Americans and turn the page on so many foolish things we do. God bless the troops and God bless America. NOT the dope who lied or the evil jokers who gave him a blank check.
Posted by: SouthSideChicago | November 11, 2008 3:47 PM
I am a conservative that disagrees with Obama and his policies. However, this is not about him, it is about those brave men and women that gave the ultimate sacrifice. Everyone that calls themselves an American should devote a few minutes today remembering that.
LEST WE FORGET
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
Posted by: justavet | November 11, 2008 5:24 PM
Barack Obama is a class act.
Posted by: ernieson | November 11, 2008 5:41 PM
The tremendous sacrifice that so many military men and women have made for this country, is, as Lincoln said, beyond our limited ability to further consecrate. Thank you President-Elect Obama, for taking a moment to remember the Veterans and to honor them on this special day.
Posted by: Django - N Exile somewhere in/around the 30th Parallel | November 11, 2008 6:58 PM
Today is about all those who serve and served to protect our Country. It's not about Obama, he's just showing his genuine respect... I feel like everyone should also.
Posted by: Sydnei | November 11, 2008 7:28 PM
Anthony Williams:
Obama did go to Iraq. He was in a suit and surrounded with cheering Iraqis. McCain went, but he was in a bulletproof jacket up to his ears, surrounded by armed US forces. Obama made a mistake by saying the surge didn't work. McCain made a mistake by saying he knows how to win wars. McCain has won NO wars. He was 8 the last time the USA won a war. That was WWII.
Check your facts before you act "intelligent"
Posted by: Hugo | November 11, 2008 8:45 PM
Ronald Regan saluted all the time, as you put it, because he was a Veteran and the Commander and Chief. Obama is neither. Yes, I know he will be, but he is not at this time.
Posted by: Sam | November 11, 2008 11:03 PM
I want Tammy to replace Barack in the Senate.
It makes me sick when i hear bitter right wingers impugn the patriotism of anyone they disagree with. Obama loves this country far more than the likes of Limbaugh, Hannity, and O'rielly.
Posted by: Daniel T. | November 12, 2008 2:17 AM
Obama attended a ceremony to show respect for our veterans on their day. Those who would make rude remarks about his solemn show of respect are themselves showing GREAT disrespect for those who serve our country. Shame on you all for making it partisan!
Posted by: JRR | November 12, 2008 7:14 AM
The respect to veterans displayed by president elect has all ready become a thing of the past! As late a Jan 09, his statement concerning budget cuts is outrageous! "doesn't need a map to tellhim where the bodies are buried". He doesn't have a clue about the military or vets service. O'well America, here comes our "Change". It will only get worse! Have a nice life, no thanks to OBAMA!!!
Posted by: Elizabeth Sharpe | January 7, 2009 7:46 AM