Bush honours fallen soldiers

UNITED STATES president George W Bush yesterday marked Memorial Day with a wreath-laying at Arlington National Cemetery, paying special tribute to troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Bush and his wife, Laura, returned from a long weekend at their home in Crawford, Texas, on Sunday to prepare for yesterday’s holiday observance that included a White House reception for military families.

They were also honouring fallen soldiers at Arlington’s Tomb of the Unknowns, and Bush was giving a speech on the troops’ sacrifices.

“Each Memorial Day, we pray for peace throughout the world, remembering what was gained and what was lost during times of war,” the president said in a Memorial Day proclamation.

“From the bravery of the men at Valley Forge, to the daring of Normandy, the courage of Iwo Jima and the steady resolve in Afghanistan and Iraq, our men and women in uniform have won for us every hour that we live in freedom.”

Bush gave a special salute to “the men and women in our nation’s armed forces who are working with our coalition partners to restore civil order, provide critical humanitarian aid, and renew Afghanistan and Iraq.”

“Americans stand with the families who grieve, and we share in their great sorrow and great pride,” he said.

“There will be no homecoming on this earth for those lost in battle, but we know that this reunion will one day come.”

Bush called on Americans and news media to observe a National Moment of Remembrance that began at 3pm local time.