gave a special salute Monday to Americans who lost their lives fighting in the Korean War, noting that it was the 60th anniversary of the conflict's end.

"And over the last decade, we've seen the character of our country again," the president said after laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

Obama arrived at Virginia's Arlington National Cemetery, amid a 21-gun salute, at 11 a.m. He was met by Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, cemetery Executive Director Kathryn Condon and Maj. Gen. Michael Linnington, commander of the Army's military district of Washington.

Linnington escorted the president to the tomb, where Obama laid the wreath and observed a moment of silence before speaking at the Memorial Amphitheater.