President Biden urged Americans to take a moment to honor those who serve in the military and their families on Monday, using the backdrop of Arlington National Cemetery to observe Veterans Day one last time as the country’s commander in chief.

“The world is dependent on each of you and all of us, all of you, to keep honoring the women and the men and the families who have borne the battle,” Mr. Biden said. “To keep protecting everything they fought for, to keep striving to heal our nation’s wounds, to keep perfecting our union.”

Mr. Biden’s remarks came after he placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

The president has presided over the armed forces during a tumultuous four years. He has said one of the worst moments of his term was the deaths of 13 service members in Afghanistan in 2021 after Mr. Biden ordered the withdrawal of all American troops from the country.

Service members have also been assigned to assist Ukraine in its fight against Russia and to the Middle East after attacks against Israel led by Hamas that killed 1,200 people. But Mr. Biden has not ordered large deployments of troops in either place.

In his remarks, the president recalled traveling to the battlefields where American soldiers had fought, including his visit earlier this year to the cliffs in Normandy, France, above the beaches where troops began their offensive to defeat Nazi Germany during World War II.

“Just standing there, you wonder, ‘How in God’s name did they have the courage to do what they did?’” Mr. Biden said.

The New York Times