The United States paid tribute to its fallen hereos on Memorial Day in various commemoration rites across the country. US President Barack Obama came back to Washington following a surprise visit to the country’s military men stationed in Afghanistan.

On Monday, Obama said the United States needed to do more to make sure that veterans and their respective families get the benefits and care they deserve after serving the country. Obama gave a Memorial Day speech at Arlington National Cemetery where he praised veterans for their contributions from all the wars that challenged the United States.

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Obama also said during his speech that everything that the United States holds precious were made possible because of US veterans who gave their all.

The president did not specifically raised the topic regarding the increasing issue at the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding long waiting times and stealthy record keeping. However, he did say that the United States needed to do more efforts for its veterans.

Furthermore, Obama said that US veterans have already done their duties to the country.

However, other veteran groups such as the American Legion said that the growing scandal the Veterans Affairs have stained the memorial services for this year’s Memorial Day celebration.

Media reports said that VA clinics and hospitals all over the United States were accounted for more than three dozen veterans to have died while waiting for medical care.

US President Obama was joined by the first lady, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife. The Memorial Day ceremony was held from the White House across the Potomac River to the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Meanwhile, in Southland, homeless veterans became the focus of the Memorial Day ceremony in Brentwood and El Monte.

The yearly Memorial Day 5km Walk for Warriors was held in Brentwood’s West Los Angeles VA Campus. The funds raised for the annual walk would be used by New Directions for Veterans, a service provider to hundreds of veterans without homes and those veterans who are at risk of losing their homes.

TagsMemorial Day, Barack Obama, US Veterans