It’s Veterans Day in America, where we thank the veterans for fighting so hard to protect whatever this is right now. At 11 this morning in Arlington National Cemetery outside the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, 30 or so military personnel and others gathered in the rain, waiting for President Donald Trump to greet the wreath. He eventually arrived for his first public appearance since last Thursday, when he began falsely claiming widespread voter fraud, later refusing to concede the election, firing Defense Secretary Mark Esper, and some other things you might have heard about.
In Arlington he was somber-mugging to match the weather, the occasion, the state of his presidency. Vice President Mike Pence, who just reportedly canceled his Florida vacation, followed behind him, and their wives were escorted by military personnel carrying umbrellas. Melania Trump wore a tweed coat and an equally grim expression. She had thanked veterans via Twitter just before the ceremony.
Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter and adviser, wore a floppy felt hat, the kind favored by the L.A.-matcha-latte set five years ago. It was surely a decent fortress against the rain. She also wore a mask, as did many who stood opposite from the office-holders, who did not wear masks.
In this, the first moment the public has laid eyes on the first family since the election was called for their opponent, it was impossible to see signs of…anything…anything at all. No one said a few words to honor the moment besides the statement released prior to the ceremony (“We enjoy the privileges of peace, prosperity, and freedom because of our veterans, and we are forever indebted to them beyond measure”); it was just out as fast as they were in. The only moment of note was when President Trump reached out and touched the wreath while his face arranged itself in an “I’m doing a serious moment” way.
Meanwhile, in Philadelphia at the Korean War Memorial Park, President-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill wore masks (double mask on Joe!) for their own short ceremony. He in a suit, she in a peplum skirt suit. A crowd gathered to watch the procession there as well.
Biden also issued a statement, saying, “This Veterans Day, I feel the full weight of the honor and the responsibility that has been entrusted to me by the American people as the next president, and I vow to honor our country’s sacred obligation. To all of our proud veterans, know that I will be a commander in chief who respects your sacrifice, understands your service, and who will never betray the values you fought so bravely to defend. I will never treat you or your families with anything less than the honor you deserve.”
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