Veterans Day

President Barack Obama is laying the Memorial Day wreath at a cemetery near Joliet, Illinois, in the southwest suburbs of Chicago on May 31, 2010, according to an ABC news report. The president is taking part in the Memorial Day Service at the Abraham Lincoln Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois.

The president's helicopter landed at about 11:00 a.m. For the Memorial Day service scheduled for noon. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is expected to join Obama in Elwood. Also at the ceremony will be  Sen. Dick Durbin and freshman U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson, who is running against Adam Kinzinger, a captain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

The White House released Obama's statement about the history of Memorial Day the the reasons that Americans observe the patriotic holiday, Obama stated, 'It’s fitting every day to pay tribute to the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States of America. Still, there are certain days that have been set aside for all of us to do so. Veterans Day is one such day – when we are called to honor Americans who’ve fought under our country’s flag..' The entire statement by Obama is at Obama asks Americans to observe Memorial Day.

The President of the United States normally observes Memorial Day at the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C.