WASHINGTON (AP) ? President Barack Obama and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki placed a wreath by the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in honor of the thousands of casualties from the Iraq war.
Obama, with al-Maliki as his side, stood solemnly with his hand on his heart as the national anthems of the U.S. and Iraq played. Both men are observing the end of the U.S. military presence in Iraq, with all troops due out Dec. 31.
Service members stood at attention, lining the curving drive past the sea of white tombstones, most decorated with wreaths.
Both leaders carried the wreath to its resting place. They then stood quietly, their eyes closed. A bugler played “Taps.”
Nearly 4,500 U.S. service members have been killed in Iraq. About 32,000 have been wounded.
