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President Donald Trump led the nation in marking Veterans Day on Wednesday (November 11) at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, delivering remarks that honored military service members and their families while also touching on the administration's ongoing conflict with Iran.
According to C-SPAN's coverage of the ceremony, Trump was greeted at the cemetery by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins, and military leaders before taking part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
"On Veterans Day, we reaffirm our undying gratitude to every patriot who has answered the call of duty," Trump told the crowd gathered at the cemetery's Memorial Amphitheater. "We thank Almighty God for the noble warriors of the United States military who have always stepped forward so that America might always stay free."
Trump praised military families, calling them "among the very best of our nation." He also recognized First Lady Melania Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Cane, and other cabinet members in attendance. As reported by The Hill, Hegseth drew the loudest applause from the crowd when Trump singled him out, with the president saying of him, "He's done a fantastic job, and he loves you and protects you. He's all about you."
Vance also addressed the crowd, paying tribute to veterans across all generations. "The most important monuments to our generations who served in the military — our most important monuments — are you," Vance said, speaking directly to veterans in attendance.
Collins, who chairs the Veterans Day National Committee, highlighted gains made under the administration. He said the Department of Veterans Affairs had opened 47 new facilities since 2025 and recorded a 26% increase in veterans receiving direct and community care.
As The Independent reported, Trump also used the ceremony to defend the administration's military operations against Iran. "America did not start a war with Iran. Iran has been waging war in America since 1979," Trump said, adding that the U.S. had "won" the conflict and that it was only a matter of "when we want to end it." He said the U.S. lost 18 service members after American strikes on Iran began on Wednesday (February 28), and stated that Iran would need 25 years to rebuild what had been destroyed.
Trump also referenced the administration's planned triumphal arch to be built between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. "Soon we're going to dedicate a magnificent triumphal arch to our veterans," he said, adding that veterans have "been waiting for it for 200 years." The arch has drawn multiple lawsuits. The Hill noted that a federal judge ordered a two-week pause on construction last Thursday (November 5), and that the Kennedy family has also filed a legal challenge against the project, arguing the structure would overshadow their relatives' graves and block the view of President Kennedy's eternal flame.
The ceremony marked the 73rd National Veterans Day Observance hosted at Arlington National Cemetery.