Obama, GOP honor fallen soldiers ahead of Memorial Day

President Obama marked the beginning of Memorial Day weekend with a video address commemorating the service of fallen soldiers, urging Americans to join him in "acts of remembrance" during the holiday.

In a video released Saturday, the president said of American troops that gave the ultimate sacrifice: "Remembering them - searing their stories and their contributions into our collective memory - that's an awesome responsibility. It's one that all of us share as citizens."

He added, however, that Americans are obligated to "do more than honor their memory."

"We have to be there for their families," Mr. Obama said. "Over the years, Michelle and I have spent quiet moments with the families of the fallen -- husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters. They've shared their pain, but also their pride in the sacrifices their loved ones made under our proud flag."

The nation's commander in chief pushed Americans to engage in acts of remembrance over the weekend, including a plea to "hire a veteran who is ready and willing to serve at home just as they did abroad."

"The debt we owe our fallen heroes is one we can never truly repay," Mr. Obama said. "But our responsibility to remember is something we can live up to every day of the year."

For Republicans, Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, a combat veteran, gave a similar address about the importance of remembering those who have served in the armed services.

"As Memorial Day approaches, let us pause and remember all of the men and women who have given their lives so we can be free," Ernst said in a video released Saturday. "Let's pause and honor the families of the fallen, who have also given so much. On Memorial Day -- and every day -- let us give thanks for these outstanding heroes. They serve as a testimony to the character of America."

Ernst, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, also praised recent legislation signed by President Obama allowing Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) that served in World War II to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery, where they had been previously barred.

"These bold, revolutionary women flew non-combat service missions for the Army Air Force to free up their male counterparts for combat duty overseas," she said. "These women served our nation with great honor -- and put their lives on the line."

Of recent congressional movement on the annual defense and appropriation legislation, the Iowa senator said: "These measures will provide some level of certainty to our brave service members now serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and in other places around the world."