Biden, Harris mark Veterans Day at Arlington National Cemetery

ARLINGTON, Va. - President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris commemorated Veterans Day at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday. It was Biden’s first public event with Harris since she lost the 2024 Election to Republican Donald Trump.

President Biden places wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Veterans Day

President Joe Biden lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024.

Harris accompanied Biden during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and sat in attendance as he spoke at the National Veterans Day Observance at the Memorial Amphitheater.

It was also Harris' first public appearance since last Wednesday, when the Democratic vice president conceded the election to Trump during a speech at her alma mater, Howard University.

The president began his brief remarks by emphasizing that America's "truly sacred obligation" is to prepare those it sends into harm's way and to care for them when they return, or if they do not.

He honored the service and sacrifice of America's military veterans, including those who paid the ultimate price, and their families, during his final speech at the cemetery's memorial amphitheater as commander in chief.

"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," Biden said. "You are the greatest fighting force, and this is not hyperbole, the finest fighting force in the history of the world."

After the observance, Biden traveled home to Wilmington, Delaware. Biden will host President-elect Donald Trump for a traditional postelection meeting in the Oval Office on Wednesday, the White House said.