Melania and Donald Trump went on an early visit to Arlington National Cemetery prior to Monday's Memorial Day observance and paid their respects to the country's fallen heroes.
The United States President and the First Lady made it for "flags in" at Arlington. The tradition has been marked for decades. It consists of the Old Guard or the Third United States Infantry Regiment honoring America's military fallen each Thursday before Memorial Day. They make sure each service man's tombstone has an American flag on it.
The President and his wife were at the thirty-fourth section of the cemetery, helping to lay flags on headstones, including that of Frank Buckles, who was known to be the last of World War I veterans to have passed.
If there were any words for the dead which were said at the visit, it was hard for anyone, including reporters, to make them out, as the public had been kept too far away. President Trump did not address the members of the press while there. But he and the First Lady could be seen speaking with some soldiers who were there with them.
As they were about to leave, the Trumps shook hands with the military men. From there, the first couple went their way back to the White House escorted by a motorcade.
The unannounced drop-by was made in expectation of their upcoming trip to Japan, which will fall on Memorial Day weekend. Melania will be accompanying the President as they leave the country Friday.
Sarah Sanders, press secretary to the White House, announced that President Trump chose to visit Arlington Cemetery despite that he has already planned to remember the event in a ceremony while away in Japan.
It is remembered that, in last year's commemoration, the President had referred to the love which America's fallen heroes had borne for the country as being deeper and purer than many would ever know.
He said that the nation's "blessings of peace" were paid by those heroes at the price of having "marched into hell." Trump pointed out that "they died" fighting for "freedom."
The other year, the President placed a wreath atop the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, after he spoke a few words in remembrance of all who fought and died for the country. The United States Army lays in excess of 260,000 flags every year on Memorial Day, placing one on every tombstone.
In his upcoming trip to Japan with Melania, Trump will be meeting the new emperor. While there, he is also scheduled for a trip to see a Japanese warship and to watch a sumo wrestling match.
