President-elect Obama hugs Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs director Tammy Duckworth after laying a wreath at Soldier Field. (Tribune photo / Zbigniew Bzdak)
Obama honors veterans
Only a few dozen spectators were present this morning.
President-elect Barack Obama placed a wreath on a bronze memorial at Chicago's Soldier Field this morning to pay his respects on Veterans Day in what was expected to be his only public appearance of the day.
About 11 a.m., Obama was joined for the ceremony by Tammy Duckworth, the Illinois Veterans' Affairs director.
Wearing a dark overcoat and with Duckworth at his side, Obama picked up a wreath that was placed in front of the memorial and carried it a few feet forward, before setting it in front of the memorial.
Obama bowed his head for a moment, according to a media pool report of the stop. Then, he put his right hand at his forehead, saluted and walked away with Duckworth. Only a few dozen spectators were present on the cool morning visit.
--John McCormick and Rick Pearson, Chicago Breaking News Center
click link for more pictures and comments.
