Young, old alike honor the fallen

Americans from all walks of life - young and old, veterans and civilians, president and actors - gathered Monday to pay tribute to armed-services members who had fallen in defense of the country.

At Arlington National Cemetery, President Obama laid the traditional wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, keeping his head down and eyes closed for several moments during the ceremony.

A handful of VIP guests looked onward as he paid tribute to those who “paid the ultimate price so we might know freedom” and asked Americans to celebrate Memorial Day as a day of “silent remembrance and solemn prayer” with a pledge to serve the nation.

The National Memorial Day Parade marched through downtown Washington, starting at Constitution Avenue and Seventh Street, as war memorials across the region and the nation held holiday events.

Actor Gary Sinise, most famous for his role as Lt. Dan Taylor in the Oscar-winning film “Forrest Gump,” was one of the parade’s several honorary marshals, also including actors Joe Mantegna and Ernest Borgnine.

Before the parade began, Mr. Sinise and his wife gave up their front-row seats in an open-air vehicle to an elderly veteran in the crowd and then stopped to chat and take pictures with fans while the veteran took their seats.

“He’s such a nice guy. He does so much for the veterans, and look at him, he’s even giving up his seat just so they can move a couple of meters for the start of the parade,” said an admiring Janie Karmel, 28, of Fairfax.

After the parade, Mr. Borgnine and Edith Shain gathered at the World War II Memorial with the nonprofit group Call to Service. Members of the group held up photos of fallen servicemen and asked random passersby to do the same.

“It’s good to remember, or people forget too soon. It used to be, say, after 9/11, you would see an American flag on every car or on every doorstep, but you don’t see that anymore. Please don’t forget about our servicemen,” Mr. Borgnine said.

Diane Layfield held a picture of son Travis, an Army lance corporal who was killed in Ramadi, Iraq, in April 2004.

“There is no more higher purpose than to serve our country. We are here to remember our veterans. Nobody would put a face to a name without these photos. It shows that there’s a person, an individual who was someone’s son and not just a name,” she said.

Ms. Shain, the nurse kissed by a sailor in the iconic V-J Day Times Square photo, said that the new generation should provide renewed vigor for community service and help for veterans.

“It’s time for you, the young people, to take the lead. You’re getting the country, keep that in mind. I hope we can keep the spirit of ‘45 alive,” she told The Times.

After the observance at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, two women related to men whose names are on the Wall carried a banner with the inscription “No words, no action, no award of service can truly express our gratitude to your service. We thank you.”

Carla Fleming and Nikki Clayton said they met just hours earlier and decided to make the banner after learning about each other’s relatives. Miss Clayton, whose grandfather William was a fighter pilot, said she just wanted to say thanks.

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