Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. US Observes Memorial Day to Honor War Dead U.S. President Barack Obama will honor the country`s war dead with an address Monday, as the United States observes its annual Memorial Day. The president will take part in a wreath-laying ceremony before his speech at Arlington National Cemetery, just outside Washington, where soldiers have placed American flags on more than 260,000 graves. Mr. Obama and his wife, Michelle, will also host a breakfast at the White House with families of fallen soldiers. Mr. Obama used his weekly radio address Saturday to pay tribute to U.S. service members, saying Monday`s national holiday is a time to remember those who died so that Americans "could know peace and live in freedom." He also called on the nation to care for the families of military members and ensure veterans get the health care and benefits they deserve. The first large-scale observance of what was originally called Decoration Day took place at the cemetery in 1868, three years after the bloody Civil War that killed more than 600,000 people. Many Americans have the day off from work and school, and the long weekend is seen as the unofficial start of the summer vacation season. Celebrations involving picnics or trips to the beach, parks or campgrounds are common. __________________________________________________________________ [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/us-observes-memorial-day-to-honor-war -dead/1668861.html References 1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-observes-memorial-day-to-honor-war-dead/1668861.html