Lanny Roedel of Joplin, Mo touches a friend's name inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial during the Veterans Day observance in Washington. Roedel, a Marine, served in Vietnam in 1969.
Ricky Carioti-The Washington Post
Nov. 11
William H. Dunn of the U.S. Navy Band, top center, plays TAPS at the close of the Veterans Day observance at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Wednesday afternoon.
Ricky Carioti-The Washington Post
Nov. 11
Visitors to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial look for the names of lost loved ones after the Veterans Day observance.
Ricky Carioti-The Washington Post
Nov. 11
Elaine Poplawski of Wallingford, Conn. places a POW-MIA Flag and an American Flag at the foot of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial for a cousin of her boyfriend who died in the war.
Ricky Carioti-The Washington Post
Nov. 11
Elaine Poplawski of Wallingford, Conn. searches for the name of her boyfriend's cousin.
Ricky Carioti-The Washington Post
Nov. 11
President Barack Obama with U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Alfred Lanier, right, and Brig. Gen. Karl Horst, left, while placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns during a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. Obama spoke after the ceremony saying, "while it is important and proper that we mark this day, it is far more important we spend all our days determined to keep the promises that we've made to all who answer this country's call."
Chip Somodevilla-Getty Images
Nov. 11
President Obama places his hand over his heart and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Karl Horst salutes while Taps is played during the wreath-laying ceremony.
Chip Somodevilla-Getty Images
Nov. 12
Lanny Roedel of Joplin, Mo. sheds a tear after touching a friend's name inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Lanny, a Marine, served in Vietnam in 1969. His nickname was "Bamboo Viper."
Ricky Carioti-The Washington Post
Nov. 11
Members of the National Honor Guard Veterans of Foreign Wars wait to make their entrance during a Veteran's Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
Nikki Kahn-The Washington Post
Nov. 11
President Obama flanked by Veterans Affairs Assistant Secretary Tammy Duckworth left, and Head of Veterans Affairs, Retired Army Gen. Eric K. Shinseki, pays tribute to members of the Armed Forces at Arlington National Cemetery.
Nikki Kahn-The Washington Post
Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, left, along with first lady Michelle Obama applaud during the Veterans Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
Nikki Kahn-The Washington Post
Nov. 11
Members of the Joint Service Color Guard team in the National Capital Region present their colors during a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery's Amphitheater.
Nikki Kahn-The Washington Post
Nov. 11
Boy Scout Mario Frausto, 9, places flags in front of headstones at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery outside of Fort Hood in Killeen, Tex.
Paul Sakuma-AP
Nov. 11
U.S military and NATO troops take part in a Veterans Day ceremony at Camp Eggers in Kabul, Afghanistan. It's traditional to honor all those who have fallen in wars with two minutes of silence.
Paula Bronstein-Getty Images
Nov. 11
American soldiers pray during a ceremony marking Veterans Day at Camp Eggers in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Anja Niedringhaus-AP
Nov. 11
In commemoration of Veterans Day at Manila's American Cemetery, U.S. ambassador Kristie Kenney, left, and former Philippine president Fidel Ramos (right) pay tribute to fallen American and Filipino veterans who fought during World War II.
Jay Directo-AFP/Getty Images
Nov. 11
A solider watches as flags pass by during the commemoration of Veterans Day at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. The cemetery, which has more than 17,000 graves, is the largest in the Pacific for U.S. personnel killed during World War II.
Aaron Favila-AP
Nov. 11
Filipino veterans salute during ceremonies to commemorate Veterans Day at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.
Aaron Favila-AP
Nov. 11
A Filipino soldier plays the trumpet beside walls engraved with the names of missing U.S. and Philippine soldiers during ceremonies to commemorate Veterans Day at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.
Aaron Favila-AP
Gallery Credits:
Producer, Photo Editor Stephen Cook
