A visit to Section 60, where troops lost in Iraq and Afghanistan rest...To begin two days of events commemorating the tenth anniversary of 9/11, President Obama and First Lady Obama visited Arlington National Cemetery today to pay their respects to members of the military. Holding hands as they walked through the rows of graves, the President and Mrs. Obama visited Section 60 in the southeast portion of the cemetery, which is reserved for service members killed in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
"On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of 9/11, the President believes that it is important for all Americans to honor those who have served since 9/11, to remember those lives we have lost, and to support their families," a White House official said.
The President and Mrs. Obama spoke with two military families at two different graves during their brief visit. They hugged family members after a brief exchange. Today's visit is the President's third to Section 60, according to the White House.The President and First Lady's schedule for 9/11 commemorations is here.
The motorcade left the White House about noon for the visit to Arlington, and arrived back at the White House at 12:11 to pick up the First Daughters.
The First Family then traveled to DC Central Kitchen to help prepare 4,000 meals for their service project for the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance.President Obama's weekly address is here, and devoted to 9/11. He sent an e-mail from the White House this morning, urging Americans to participate in community service projects.
*Top photo by Pete Souza/White House; others by Getty