DONALD Trump visited Arlington Cemetery on Veteran's Day in his first appearance in six days after he claimed he won the election.
The president arrived with First Lady Melania and his daughter Ivanka shortly after 11am on Wednesday.
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The president took a minutes silence and touched the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before saluting.
Alongside his wife, Trump was also accompanied by Vice President Mike Pence and his spouse Karen.
None of the four wear wearing face coverings as they arrived at the memorial.
Trump and his second-in-demand Pence both stood without umbrellas despite it raining in Virginia.
The president released a proclamation on Veteran's Day honoring the federal holiday.
"On Veterans Day, we pause to pay tribute to all who have proudly worn our Nation’s uniform. These Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen selflessly placed lives, well‑being, and security of others before their own," Trump wrote.
"We enjoy the privileges of peace, prosperity, and freedom because of our veterans, and we are forever indebted to them beyond measure."
Over in Pennsylvania, Joe Biden and his wife Dr Jill attended an observance at the Korean War Memorial Park in Philadelphia.
Both the president-elect and his wife wore face coverings as the stood and laid a wreath.
Biden tweeted on Wednesday morning in tribute to the day.
"Today, we honor the service of those who have worn the uniform of the Armed Forces of the United States," he wrote.
"To our proud veterans—I will be a commander in chief who respects your sacrifice, understands your service, and will never betray the values you fought so bravely to defend."
Biden’s son Beau was a major in the Delaware Army National Guard and died in 2015 of brain cancer.
Biden often spoke emotionally of his son’s service on the campaign trail.
Jill Biden made military spouses and families one of her signature issues when Biden served as Barack Obama's vice president, and aides say that may be one of her focal points as first lady.
Today Trump appeared in public for the first time since his failed reelection bid to take part in the annual presidential rite.
The president has spent the last several days at the White House tweeting claims of voter fraud after his election loss.
He has made no public comments since President-elect Joe Biden surpassed the 270 electoral votes on Saturday needed to win the presidency, but has tweeted daily.
Although his official schedule has been devoid of public events, Trump has made several personnel moves including firing his Defense Secretary Mark Esper.
Meanwhile, his legal team as filed a barrage of lawsuits alleging fraud in the battleground states.
Trump has also left the White House to visit his private golf club in northern Virginia.
Mike Pence had been scheduled to travel to Sanibel, Florida, from Tuesday through Saturday, according to Federal Aviation Administration, but will instead be in Washington on Wednesday.
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