President Biden on Monday called on Americans to unify for the sake of the country in the last Veterans Day address of his presidency, which comes just under a week after the election of President-elect Trump.
“This is the moment to come together as a nation, to keep faith in each other. The world is depending 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. To keep protecting everything they fought for,” Biden said at Arlington National Cemetery.
“To keep striving to heal our nations wounds. To keep perfecting our union,” he said.
The president and Vice President Harris attended a wreath-laying ceremony to mark the 100th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington. It was their first public appearance together since Election Day, when Trump won all seven battleground states; Trump is also on track to win the popular vote.
Biden said he was “proud of our work for the past four years,” citing that veterans homelessness rates have dropped to a record low and that the PACT Act passed in 2022 to give veterans expanded access to apply for compensation and relief related to toxic exposures during service.
“This is the last time I will stand here at Arlington as commander-in-chief,” Biden said. “It’s been the greatest honor of my life to lead you, to serve you, to care for you, to defend you, just as you defended us, generation, after generation, after generation.”
Ahead of his remarks, Harris, Biden and Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough stood in a line in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a ceremony. The three then walked inside the amphitheater for speeches, followed by first lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff.
Biden gave remarks last week, following Trump’s election, and Harris officially conceded to him during a speech in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Monday was her second public appearance since her loss.
