The White House Blog: The President

President Obama Celebrates U.S. Troops on Memorial Day

President Barack Obama, with Major General Michael Linnington, Commanding General Military District of Washington, participates in a Memorial Day wreath laying at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, May 28, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Obama earlier marked Memorial Day with two separate events. 

This morning, he visited Arlington National Cemetery, where he placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and highlighted the connection shared by each of the heroes who rest at the site: 

These 600 acres are home to Americans from every part of the country who gave their lives in every corner of the globe. When a revolution needed to be waged and a Union needed to be saved, they left their homes and took up arms for the sake of an idea. From the jungles of Vietnam to the mountains of Afghanistan, they stepped forward and answered the call. They fought for a home they might never return to; they fought for buddies they would never forget. And while their stories may be separated by hundreds of years and thousands of miles, they rest here, together, side-by-side, row-by-row, because each of them loved this country, and everything it stands for, more than life itself.   

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama are joined at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall by Rose Marie Sabo-Brown, the widow of Medal of Honor recipient Specialist Leslie H. Sabo, Jr., U.S. Army, during the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War commemoration ceremony in Washington, D.C., May 28, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

This afternoon, he visited the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, DC to commemorate the 50th anniversary of that conflict and to celebrate those who served: 

[We] come to this wall -- to this sacred place -- to remember. We can step towards its granite wall and reach out, touch a name.  Today is Memorial Day, when we recall all those who gave everything in the darkness of war so we could stand here in the glory of spring. And today begins the 50th commemoration of our war in Vietnam. We honor each of those names etched in stone -- 58,282 American patriots. We salute all who served with them. And we stand with the families who love them still.  

At both events, the President noted another reason for celebration -- for the first time in nine years, there are no U.S. troops fighting in Iraq. 

President Obama Talks Clean Energy in Iowa

President Barack Obama delivers remarks urging Congress to act on the “To Do List” and highlighting the need to invest in clean energy by passing legislation, at TPI Composites Iowa’s wind turbine blade facility in Newton, Iowa, May 24, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

In Iowa this afternoon, President Obama continued to press lawmakers to take action on his To-Do List for Congress.

He traveled to Newton to push for the renewal of a tax credit for companies that produce clean energy. The credit currently supports as many as 37,000 jobs.

His host for the visit was TPI Composites -- a company that makes blades for wind turbines and employs more 700 people.

"If Congress doesn’t act, companies like this one will take a hit," he said. "Jobs will be lost. That’s not a guess, that’s a fact. We can’t let that happen."

Currently, 20 percent of all the electricity used in the Iowa is generated by wind power, and there are currently more wind power jobs in the state than in any other in America.

Overall, the United States generates enough electricity from wind to power 10 million homes. And there are 500 production facilities in 43 states putting people to work in that industry.

Later, he answered questions about the To-Do List on Twitter.

President Obama Touts a New American Century to Air Force Grads

President Barack Obama salutes graduating cadets as they cross the stage at the United States Air Force Academy commencement ceremony at Falcon Stadium, USAF Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, May 23, 2012. President Obama delivered the commencement address at the ceremony. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

Four years ago, when President Obama made his first trip to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the class of 2012 was just beginning their tenure as cadets.

Today, he returned to deliver their commencement address. Acknowledging the continued need for the leadership and service the new graduates will provide, President Obama said the next century will be an American one:

I see an American Century because of the character of our country -- the spirit that has always made us exceptional. That simple yet revolutionary idea -- there at our founding and in our hearts ever since -- that we have it in our power to make the world anew, to make the future what we will. It is that fundamental faith -- that American optimism -- which says no challenge is too great, no mission is too hard. It’s the spirit that guides your class: "Never falter, never fail."

Approximately, 1,000 cadets graduated today and will soon begin their commissions as second lieutenants. Before leaving Falcon Field the President shook each of their hands.

Read his full remarks here.

Graduates toss their hats as the Thunderbirds flyover during the United States Air Force Academy commencement ceremony at Falcon Stadium, USAF Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, May 23, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

President Barack Obama participates in the United States Air Force Academy commencement ceremony at Falcon Stadium, USAF Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, May 23, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

NATO Summit in Chicago: Day Two

President Obama wrapped up the second and final day of the NATO Summit in Chicago on Tuesday.

In the morning, he participated in a meeting with leaders from the 50 nations that make up the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan to discuss the next step in the transition of power there—setting a goal for Afghan forces to take the lead for combat operations across the country in 2013.

• President Obama’s remarks at the ISAF Meeting
• Fact Sheet: Afghanistan Transition Interim Milestone
• Fact Sheet: NATO’s Enduring Presence in Afghanistan after 2014

In the afternoon, President Obama and his NATO counterparts met with leaders from non-NATO nations that are making significant financial, operational, and political contributions to NATO operations. These types of partnerships allow NATO to extend its reach and better shoulder shared burdens.

• Fact Sheet: Strenthening NATO’s Partnerships

Later in the afternoon, President Obama held a press conference before departing for Missouri, where he will deliver the commencement address at Joplin High School.

• Remarks from President Obama’s press conference