Biden Salutes Troops As ‘Spine Of America’ On Veterans Day

November 11, 2021

Brittney Melton, AP,

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President Joe Biden salutes before placing a wreath during a centennial ceremony for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in Arlington National Cemetery, on Veterans Day, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)
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President Joe Biden stands next to Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough during an event to commemorate Veterans Day at Arlington National Cemetery, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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President Joe Biden speaks during an event to commemorate Veterans Day at Arlington National Cemetery, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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President Joe Biden places a wreath during a centennial ceremony for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in Arlington National Cemetery, on Veterans Day, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)
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President Joe Biden, right, with Major Gen. Allan Pepin, Commanding General of Joint Task Force National Capital Region and Military District of Washington, left, and Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough, pauses after placing a wreath during a centennial ceremony for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in Arlington National Cemetery, on Veterans Day, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)
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President Joe Biden salutes as he stands with Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough and Army Maj. Gen. Allan M. Pepin during a wreath laying ceremony to commemorate Veterans Day and mark the centennial anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, in Arlington, Va. First lady Jill Biden is at left. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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President Joe Biden stands during a wreath laying ceremony to commemorate Veterans Day and mark the centennial anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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Troops march during a full honors procession honoring the centennial anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. The Lincoln Memorial in Washington is shown in the distance. (Sarah Silbiger/Pool via AP)
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Arlington Cemetery is seen ahead of a full honors procession honoring the centennial anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. (Sarah Silbiger/Pool via AP)
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A formation of U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons fly over during a centennial ceremony for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in Arlington National Cemetery, on Veterans Day, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)
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A tomb guard of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as "The Old Guard," stands during a centennial commemoration event at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in Arlington National Cemetery, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)
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The shadows of a soldier with the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as "The Old Guard," is seen as he moves flowers during a centennial commemoration event at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in Arlington National Cemetery, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden has saluted the nation’s military veterans as “the spine of America” in marking his first Veterans Day as president in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

Biden said, “There’s nothing low risk or low cost about war for the women and men who fight it.”

Earlier Thursday, his administration announced a federal effort to better understand, identify and treat medical conditions suffered by troops deployed to toxic environments.

Biden’s son, Beau, died of brain cancer after his return from serving in Iraq.

The president’s toxic-air effort announced Thursday centers on lung problems suffered by troops who breathe in toxins.