Tryphon wrote:From what I read, he's not the first president not to mark the day. I remember too he went to France some years ago.
Yes, Obama did go to France several years ago in 2009, as I mentioned in a post up above. Other US Presidents have been to France at various times also to be on hand at that historic site to mark the importance of this special day. Here's a link of President Ronald Reagan's visit to France on the 40th Anniversary of D-Day in 1984:
http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/reagan-d-day.htmAnd, here's a video of President Clinton's visit to France on the 50th Anniversary of D-Day in 1994:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrRCYQoXzj4I really have to applaud President Clinton as I read that he never missed paying tribute by attending Memorial Day services the entire time he was in office.
Also, some Presidents have probably been unable to participate in D-Day ceremonies due to some previous engagements, health issues, or other matters and have had their Vice-Presidents fill in for them, so to speak, at various ceremonies and celebrations.
Other Presidents, it seems, have just chosen not to participate in such ceremonies for whatever reason and do other things during that day. To me, that is shameful behaviour, especially considering the President is the leader of the Country and leader of the Armed Forces!!!!
JMHO.