WASHINGTON-US President Joe Biden on May 27 paid tribute at Arlington National Cemetery to veterans who died in America's wars, hailing them as "a link in the chain of honour" who deserve recognition for protecting the nation's democracy.
"Freedom has never been guaranteed," Mr Biden said in a nine- minute Memorial Day address, moments after placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
"Every generation has to earn it. Fight for it. Defend it in battle between autocracy and democracy," he said of the nation's veterans.
"Our democracy is more than just a system of government. It's the very soul of America."
His sombre message was a sharp contrast to that of former president Donald Trump, his challenger for re-election in 2024, who posted an angry and incendiary Memorial Day message on his social media site.
"Happy Memorial Day to All, including the Human Scum that is working so hard to destroy our Once Great Country," the former president wrote on Truth Social.
Trump also wished a happy Memorial Day to Mr Lewis Kaplan, the federal judge who oversaw the trials in which the former president was accused of defamation.
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Denne historien er fra May 29, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
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