I just finished watching video of the remarks of The President as spoken to the gathered at Arlington National Cemetery.
We've come to expect nothing less than eloquence from President Obama but often, as was the case today, he surprises us with a presentation so exquisite that it causes our hearts to flutter.
Today, the President spoke of sacrifice (a recurring theme in his presentations of late) and valor, and of loss. What struck me today that unlike memorial day speeches of past Presidents in my lifetime, this speech was spoken with a depth of empathy and feeling. He wasn't simply reading words, he was causing those who listened to be deeply moved. At the conclusion of his remarks, he stepped backed and shook the hand of Admiral Mullen the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of our Armed Forces. And to my surprise, this war hardened man with many decorations on his lapel, was fighting back tears.
I believe our President is through his words and actions, demonstrating the essential virtue of empathy and its healing and binding effects on us individually and as a nation. He has called on all of us today to reflect for a moment on the significance of this day at 3 p.m.