Is Obama Wrong to Skip Arlington on Memorial Day?

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I'm taking a nonpartisan view on the matter of Memorial Day. President Obama will be paying tribute to fallen heroes at a national cemetery in Illinois. There are many national cemeteries in this country, and all are on hallowed grounds. Not every veteran is eligible for burial at Arlington. George W. Bush was criticized for being in France on Memorial Day 2002. He was, however, paying respects to our World War II dead at the American cemetery in Normandy. There are American WWII cemeteries in several countries in Europe, and our flag proudly waves above all of them. People tend to forget about them. The following video serves as a reminder:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ7I1RIMXmU

Jean of CA 1:56PM May 27, 2010

Mr. Obama ask to be the Commander in Chief and should honor our fallen heros, period.
It's not politics, it's called responsibility and duty.
Memorial Day, What part of Memorial doesn't he get?
Semper Fi

Larry of CA 1:54PM May 27, 2010

Obama is not the first president to miss the ceremony at the 5,000-seat Arlington amphitheater. Ronald Reagan spoke at West Point one year, and went to his California ranch another year. George H.W. Bush, a war veteran, did not go at all. Bill Clinton -- who did not serve in Vietnam and had a rocky time dealing with the military -- went to Arlington all eight years, and George W. Bush, who also avoided combat service in Vietnam, attended from 2003 onward.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/27/AR2010052702696.html

larry waters of AZ 1:54PM May 27, 2010

Kind of a toss-up imho. He is CinC, and has an obligation to properly represent the loss of those that have contributed the most to maintain our nation and its principals. That said, as a vet I personally can't stand him, or his administration, and don't care to have him disrespecting those interred with his presence.

one of the lucky ones of TX 1:53PM May 27, 2010

As President of the United States, Obama represents the nation as a whole and not just one state. By breaking the tradition of going to Arlington, Obama is providing symbolism that Illinois is better than the other states.
Does it matter? Maybe and maybe not, but it seems foolish to politicize a national holiday - particularly one as important to the country as Memorial Day.

JS of KS 1:40PM May 27, 2010