Obama lays wreath, honors nation's veterans

Speaking on Veterans Day at Arlington National Cemetery, President Obama says, "But as our service members return, many are discovering a new battlefield as they leave the military and search for civilian employment opportunities." Watch his entire speech. By NBC News staff and news services President Barack Obama honored the nation's military veterans on Sunday, paying tribute at a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington Memorial Cemetery to "the heroes over the generations who have served this country of ours with distinction."  In keeping with tradition, he laid a wreath he laid at Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., an act he said was intended to "remember every service member who has ever worn our nation's uniform." Obama said in a speech at the cemetery's Memorial Amphitheater that America will never forget the sacrifice made by its veterans and their families.  Jonathan Ernst / Reuters President Barack Obama places a Veterans Day wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., on Sunday. "Whenever America has come under attack, you've risen to her defense. Whenever our freedoms have come under assault, you've responded with resolve," the president said. "Today, the proud nation expresses our gratitude but we do so mindful that no ceremony or parade, no hug or handshake is enough to truly honor that service." Obama also noted, "This is the first Veterans Day in a decade in which there are no American troops dying and fighting in Iraq" -- a statement that drew polite applause from the crowd. After the speech, Obama visited Arlington National Cemetery's Section 60, the final resting place for the service members who lost their lives during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Dozens of family members and individuals were at the area paying respects. The president and first lady talked quietly with some of them. The Associated Press contributed to this story. More Veterans Day stories: Your 'thank you' to veterans is welcomed, but not always comfortably received Employers step up efforts to recruit, hire veterans More content from NBCNews.com: Woman fired over racist anti-Obama Facebok post Officials: Complaint about Broadwell sparked FBI inquiry that indicated Petraeus affair Earthquake rattles eastern Kentucky Petraeus' biographer under FBI investigation over access to his email, officials say Video: Sandy victims call ordeal 'a horror movie' Follow US news from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook