Biden honours fallen service members on Memorial Day

U.S. President Joe Biden observed Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery Monday, calling it a "sacred ritual" to reflect on and remember the sacrifices of those men and women who had died while serving in the country's military.

"Today we renew our sacred vow. It's a simple vow. To remember," he told a gathering of family members of fallen military personnel.

In the United States, the last Monday in May is observed as Memorial Day, a day to honour service members who died while in the military. Many Americans mark the federal holiday by visiting war memorials or cemeteries and placing flowers on graves.

Biden said the day was also the seventh anniversary of the death of his son Beau Biden, a military veteran. Biden said that though Beau Biden had died from cancer, not in the line of duty, "always on Memorial Day, I see him."

U.S. soldiers have fought for democracy — a cause that has always "required champions," Biden said, noting that it is an ongoing struggle and currently under attack in Ukraine.

"Today, in the perennial struggle for democracy and freedom, Ukraine and its people are on the front lines fighting to save their nation. But their fight is part of a larger fight that unites all people … the battle between democracy and autocracy, between liberty and repression," he said.