ARLINGTON, VA — In a deeply symbolic Memorial Day ceremony, President Donald Trump paid tribute to fallen U.S. service members at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, hailing them as “great, great warriors” and vowing to preserve the values for which they sacrificed their lives.
Standing in silent reverence before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier — one of the nation’s most sacred military landmarks — Trump laid a wreath and offered a salute as the solemn bugle call of “Taps” echoed across the cemetery. He was joined by Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
“We Revere Their Legacy”
“We just revere their incredible legacy,” Trump said in his address following the wreath-laying. “We salute them in their eternal and everlasting glory. And we continue our relentless pursuit of America’s destiny as we make our nation stronger, prouder, freer, and greater than ever before.”
The president devoted most of his remarks to honoring those who died in service to the country, describing them as “America’s best and bravest.”
“They are not forgotten, and they never will be,” Trump said, as a hushed crowd of military families and veterans looked on.
Personal Stories of Service and Sacrifice
Trump recounted the story of Senior Chief Petty Officer Shannon Kent, who was killed by a suicide bomber in Syria in 2019. A mother of two, Kent was on her fifth combat deployment and served as a linguist, translator, and cryptology technician supporting special operations forces.
“She was among the first women ever to do it, and she did it better than anyone,” Trump said.
He also honored Senior Master Sergeant Elroy Harworth, who died during the Vietnam War while his wife was seven months pregnant. Harworth’s son has since followed in his footsteps, serving two decades in the U.S. Army.
Vance: “Be Cautious in Sending Our People to War”
Vice President Vance reflected on the personal stories and thousands of gravestones at Arlington, urging the nation to exercise restraint in military engagement.
“The lesson is clear: We must be cautious in sending our people to war,” Vance said.
Politics Surface Briefly Amid Tribute
While maintaining a largely reverent tone, Trump briefly alluded to the political landscape, claiming he is “fixing” the republic after “a long and hard four years.” He added that Memorial Day was not the moment to elaborate on those efforts.
Earlier in the day, Trump struck a starkly different tone online. In a social media post written in all capital letters, he lashed out at former President Joe Biden, calling him “scum” and accusing him of attempting to destroy the country with “radical leftism” and leaving the southern border unsecured.
He also condemned federal judges who blocked his immigration agenda, calling them “monsters who want our country to go to hell.”
Trump’s morning posts included a jarring “HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!” message — widely criticized as inappropriate given the solemn nature of the day, which honors U.S. service members who died in military service.
Despite the political jabs, the formal ceremony at Arlington remained a solemn remembrance of those who gave their lives for the nation.
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By Navneet Chakor
Published on May 27, 2025
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