WASHINGTON - Amid a pandemic on the verge of 100,000 deaths, President Donald Trump visited Memorial Day cemetery and a historic castle on Monday - and praised service members who responded to the coronavirus.
"I stand before you in this noble castle of American freedom to pay tribute to the timeless spirit that fought and died to keep us free," said Trump at the Fort McHenry National Memorial and Historic Shrine in Baltimore, where he and First Lady Melania Trump resided. They played their hands on their hearts as legions and drums, playing the national anthem.
"Tens of thousands of members of the National Guard and Service are on the front lines of our war against this terrible virus," Trump said. "As one nation, we mourn next to every family that has lost loved ones, including the families of great veterans."
A few hundred people gathered outside at the fort, which was decorated with red, white and blue signals.
Earlier, when a military trumpet was playing taps, Trump followed the tradition by placing a wreath of flowers on the grave of the unknown soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. The White House said in a statement that the brief ceremony honored "those who died for our great nation while serving in the American armed forces."
This memorial day comes as the United States prepares to pass the 100,000 mark in deaths caused by the coronavirus which has forced the closure of state economies and the limits of public events. According to Johns Hopkins University, more than 1.6 million Americans have been infected with the virus and nearly 98,000 have died by mid-Monday.
The Democratic mayor said in a statement: President Trump's decision to pursue unnecessary travel sends a wrong message to our residents.
In response, White House spokesman Jude Dir said: "The brave men and women who have preserved our freedoms for generations have not stayed at home and the president will not honor their sacrifices by visiting such a historic landmark in the history of our nation."
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