America honors its heroes: President Obama leads Veterans Day commemorations by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns as marches and parades take place across the country
- President Barack Obama has led Veterans Day commemorations today at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia
- Laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns before asking Americans to keep the veterans in their thoughts
- Said he is 'still not happy' with the treatment veterans receive, and asked for businesses to hire more of them
- Marches, parades and ceremonies took place across the country today to honor those who have served
- For more on the Veterans Day commemorations visit http://www.dailymail.co.uk/obama
America honored its greatest heroes today as Veterans Day parades and commemorations took place across the country, paying homage to the sacrifices made by those in uniform.
President Barack Obama led tributes in Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns - a poignant tribute to all those killed in conflicts whose remains could not be identified - as New York held its annual Veterans Parade, the largest to take place in the country.
Speaking earlier today, Obama asked Americans to keep the vets in their thoughts today and for a long time in the future, while pledged more money for the Department of Veterans Affairs to help tackle problems such as homelessness within the ex-service community.
President Barack Obama led Veterans Day tributes today, calling on Americans to remember those who have served long after today is over, and saying he is 'still not satisfied' with the care they are getting from the government
The President paid his respects to the armed forces at Arlington National Cemetery, a 640 acre resting place for those who have served the military that is owned and maintained by the Army
Obama (pictured walking alongside Major General Bradley A. Becker, U.S Army Military District of Washington) said the Department of Veterans Affairs is getting a bigger budget in order to help deal with problems such as homelessness
Army Lieutenant Colonel Luta C. McGrath, 107, the oldest known female World War II veteran, right, is greeted as she is recognized by President Barack Obama during Veterans Day ceremonies
President Barack Obama, and Maj. Gen. Becker listen to the National Anthem after laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns as Veterans Day commemorations took place across the country today
During his speech today (pictured) Obama also urged more American businesses to hire veterans to help ease the transition back to civilian life, saying: 'If you want to get the job done, hire a vet. They're ready to serve and they'll make you proud'
Honor guards carry the colors as they are retired at the conclusion of the annual National Veterans Day commemoration at Arlington National Cemetery earlier today
Veterans and their families watch as the colors are trooped past during annual Veterans Day commemorations in Arlington, Virigina today
A U.S. Army veteran, wearing badges commemorating the Vietnam war, watches the ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery today
Obama said: 'Still the unacceptable problems that we've seen, like long wait times and some veterans not getting the timely care that they need, is a challenge for all of us if we are to match our words with deeds.' He said his message to every veteran is 'that I am still not satisfied.'
Obama said the federal holiday is about more than showing gratitude to veterans, but also is a reminder of how they still serve the nation and of the public's duty to them.
He said the country is in the midst of a new wave of veterans who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. He asked communities and businesses to consider hiring veterans, and said some 200,000 veterans are returning to civilian life every year.
'If you want to get the job done, hire a vet,' Obama said. 'They're ready to serve and they'll make you proud.'
New York's parade, the largest veterans' ceremony anywhere in America, featured an appearance by Challenger, a trained bald eagle pictured here waiting to take part beside some Marines
New York held it's 96th America's Parade today, the largest veterans' celebration in the country, with more than 20,000 people taking part in the march through the center of the city
Serving soldiers marched alongside veterans, with those too old to walk being taken through the streets in convertible classic Cadillacs
As well as members of the military, the parade included the FDNY bagpipe band (pictured) alongside marching bands and floats
Gavin Kinney ,left, and his brother Rigel hold up a sign thanking veterans as serving members of the military march past them in New York
Before the parade began this morning, an opening ceremony took place in Madison Square Park at the Monument Of Eternal Light, which is dedicated to those who lost their lives in the First World War
From Madison Square Park, veterans, serving members of the military, veteran's organizations and cadets marched up Fifth Avenue as crowds gathered along the sidewalk to help pay tribute
Cadets from the United States Military Academy at West Point stand in their dress uniforms before the start of the parade earlier today
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks in front of the Monument of Eternal Light in New York today ahead of the march up Fifth Avenue
Vietnam War veterans from Korea gather underneath an American flag before marching through New York as part of Veterans Day ceremonies taking place today
Also included in the commemorations in New York were the NYPD marching band, who played music to accompany those taking part along Fifth Avenue earlier today
After the opening ceremony, which took place from 10am until a wreath-laying at 11am, the march began and lasted until around 3.30pm, with those taking part walking just over a mile up Fifth Avenue
Veterans who were unable to walk down Fifth Avenue in New York today rode along in convertible Cadillacs as part of the ceremony
Meanwhile more than 20,000 people and 250 groups marched through the center of New York today, with 'America's Parade' featuring marching bands, floats, veterans and military units.
Hundreds of veterans took part in the parade itself, with those too weak to walk taken down the streets in convertible classic Cadillacs, while hundreds more watched from the sidelines wearing military memorabilia.
Ceremonies in New York began with a speech by mayor Bill De Blasio in Madison Square Park next to the Monument Of Eternal Light, dedicated on Armistice Day, November 11, 1923, as a memorial to all those who lost their lives in the First World War.
He said: 'Today we join together to honor the brave men and women who answered the call of duty and rendered the highest service to our country.
Marine Staff Sgt. Michael Reynolds of Houston, Texas visits the grave of Army Cpl. William Amundson Jr. who died in 2004 as part of a day of remembrance for those who served, and some who made the ultimate sacrifice for, the United States
Kelly Poole wipes away a tear while sitting next to the grave of her father and Korean War veteran Navy Seaman Michael Dario Vignali on Veterans Day at Georgia National Cemetery
Elsa Guerra visits the grave sites of her father, grandfather, and two uncles at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery as part of commemorations for those who served taking place across the country
Jiffy Helton Sarver from Monroe, Georgia, places flowers at the grave of her son, 1st Lt. Joseph Helton, Jr., who was killed while serving in Iraq in 2009
While some mark Veterans Day with parades and marches, others take the opportunity to pay their respects to loved ones killed in action, including at Georgia National Cemetery (pictured)
The morning sun shines over graves at Arlington National Cemetery before Barack Obama arrives to lay a wreath as part of Veterans day
Fresh footsteps in the morning dew from a mother visiting her son's grave leave a haunting trail through the grass in Canton, Georgia
'This Veterans Day, let us each rededicate ourselves to fulfilling our moral obligation to support, honor and take care of our veterans and their families.'
A wreath was then laid at the base of the memorial at 11, marking the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month when the original armistice was called in France, effectively ending The Great War.
From there, the parade made its way just over a mile up Fifth Avenue, lasting from 11.30am until approximately 3.30pm, including military units, civic and youth groups, businesses and top high school marching bands from across America.
Parades also took place in Texas at Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth and Laredo, while a remembrance ceremony was held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio.
In Indianapolis, crowds are expected to line downtown streets as the parade passes by the city's war memorials and monuments.
Veterans bow their heads in respect during a ceremony at the Second World War Memorial in Washinton DC earlier today
Ahead of commemoration ceremonies later in the day, people visit the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington DC to pay their respects
A man lays flowers at the base of the wall, containing the names of more than 58,000 U.S. soldiers who lost their lives in the conflict
Watched by a Vietnam War veteran, a guide points to a name on the wall as America commemorates its veterans around the country
An American flag is laid against the Vietnam Memorial Wall is tribute to those who lost their lives in the conflict
Those who served in the Second World War are shown around the monument to the conflict ahead of Veterans day commemorations which took place there today
The U.S. military honor guard carries in the colors at the National Second World War Memorial on Veteran's Day to pay tribute to the more than 16 million men and women who served with U.S. armed forces during the conflict
The U.S. military honor guard carries in the colors at the National World War II Memorial on Veteran's Day
A sailor stands near wreaths during a ceremony at the Second World War Memorial on Veteran's Day in Washington DC
Those who served in the Vietnam War bow their heads to honor all those who have worn the uniform of the United States military
An Army veteran, his cap covered with service ribbons and other military badges, salutes during Veterans day commemorations today
U.S. Veterans attend a Veterans Day ceremony at the National World War II Memorial in Washington DC earlier today
Second World War veterans reminisce before ceremonies in Washington DC giving thanks for the sacrifices of those in uniform
In Washington DC, veterans and their families gathered at the Second World War Monument to take part in commemoration ceremonies for those who served in that conflict, and subsequent wars.
People were also pictured paying their respects at the Vietnam Wall Memorial, which lists more than 58,000 names of those killed in the fighting there.
Touching, often distressing, scenes also took place in military cemeteries around the country as the families and loved ones of those killed went to lay flowers and pay their respects.
November 11 was originally known as Armistice Day, and marked the end of the First World War when an end to fighting was declared on that day in 1918, at 11.11am - though the war would not officially cease until the signing of the Treaty of Versailles the following year.
In November 1919 President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day in the United States, and it was recognized by Congress in 1926.
Medal of Honor recipient Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie Adkins, who was given the military's top honor for defending a camp from the Vietcong, killing up to 175 enemy and receiving 18 wounds over four days of fighting, attends ceremonies in Washington DC today
Retired USMC Maj. William Fry salutes during the pledge of allegiance during a Veterans Day ceremony in Lebanon, Ohio
Retired Air Force Sgt. Bob Covich raises his hand to be counted as part of Veterans Day commemorations taking place nationwide today
USMC Lt. Col. Squire Richard was among Marine veterans in attendance during a Veterans Day ceremony in Lebanon, Ohio, today
Korean War US Army veteran Jim Vettori, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 318 stands and salutes during the playing of Taps at the conclusion of the annual Veterans Day event in Olympia, Washington
A resolution was written that year 'calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches.'
In 1938, a bill was passed making the day a legal holiday dedicated to the cause of world peace, though it was still largely associated with the First World War until 1954 when the word 'armistice' was removed and replaced with 'veterans'.
The holiday was then widened to pay tribute to those who had served in the Second World War and Korea, as well as serving armed forces personnel.
Between 1971 and 1975, Veterans Day was moved from November 11 to a date in October which meant it created a long weekend, in the hopes this would allow people to travel and commemorate the occasion in a more meaningful way, along with President's Day, Memorial Day and Columbus day.
However, the idea proved confusing and unpopular, so it was abandoned in favor of the old date, irrespective of the day of the week on which it falls.
Today, Veterans Day marks the sacrifice made by everyone to have served the United States in the armed forces, including in Vietnam and in the modern-day conflicts of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Korean War veteran Al DePetrillo salutes during the U.S. National Anthem during Veteran's Day ceremonies in Lebanon, New Hampshire
Bob Fulmer covers his hart during a prayer at the Korean War Memorial on Veterans Day in Philadelphia
Reginal 'Sarge' Rivenbark, a army veteran who served three tours in Vietnam, salutes the parade as it moves down Broughton Street in Savannah as part of Veterans Day commemorations throughout the country
Korean War veteran Urban Rump, of Woodstock, Georgia, wears his old uniform with an American flag sticking out of the shirt pocket during a Veterans Day ceremony at the Atlanta History Center
Thomas Pluchon (C) from the Dr. Michael.M. Krop Senior High School NJROTC salutes during today's Veterans Day ceremony
US Senator Lisa Murkowski, from Alaska, talks with Former US Senator Bob Dole after laying a wreath at the World War II Memorial on Veteran's Day in Washington DC
In Oregon, members of the Bravo Battery 2-218 Field Artillery stationed at McMinville gave a 21 gun salute to commemorate Veterans Day
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