Washington: President Barack Obama urged his fellow citizens not to forget that the US “is still at war” in a Memorial Day speech he gave on Monday. Speaking at Arlington National Cemetery, on the outskirts of Washington, the President said that he is concerned that the sacrifices US troops are making will be forgotten now that the majority of Americans “are not directly touched by war”.

“As we gather here today, at this very moment, more than 60,000 of our fellow Americans still serve far from home in Afghanistan,” Obama said, adding that troops and military families have raised with him “their concern about whether the country fully appreciates what is happening”.

“As we go about our daily lives, we must remember that our countrymen are still serving, still fighting, still putting their lives on the line for all of us,” the President said.

Before speaking, the President placed a floral wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Also attending the ceremony were first lady Michelle Obama, Joint Chiefs chairman General Martin Dempsey and Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel.