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A Downpour on Memorial Day in Illinois

Summary: 
The President was able to lay a wreath at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois before it started raining, but was forced to cancel his planned remarks.

The President was able to lay a wreath at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois before it started raining.  But he was forced to take the stage only to announce to the crowd that his Memorial Day address had to be cancelled.  The crowd was spared standing around in the rain, and the President attempted to make it up to some of them by talking with them on the buses they rode to dryness.

President Obama Lays a Wreath at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery

President Barack Obama after laying a wreath at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois, on Memorial Day, May 31, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Obama Takes Stage on Memorial Day During Rain

President Barack Obama takes the stage amidst a downpour at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois, on Memorial Day. He announced that the event was being canceled because of the severe weather, May 31, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Obama Talks with Audience Members on a Bus on Memorial Day

President Barack Obama boards buses to speak to people who were attending the ceremony at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery after the Memorial Day event he was supposed to speak at was canceled because of severe weather in Elwood, Illinois, May 31, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)