Obama heralds first US Memorial Day without ground war in 14 years

ARLINGTON, Virginia - President Barack Obama heralded the first US Memorial Day in 14 years without a major ground war in an annual ceremony of remembrance on Monday for fallen American forces.

In remarks at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, Obama paid tribute to US military personnel who served in conflicts such as World War II as well as the more recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which he wound down as commander in chief.

"For many of us, this Memorial Day is especially meaningful. It is the first since our war in Afghanistan came to an end," Obama said. "Today is the first Memorial Day in 14 years that the United States is not engaged in a major ground war."

As a Democratic presidential candidate in 2008, Obama sharply criticized the war in Iraq launched by his Republican predecessor, former President George W. Bush.

US forces are now involved in air campaigns against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria as well as training missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. The president has been reluctant to relaunch ground operations in Iraq.

"Today, fewer than 10,000 troops remain on a mission to train and assist Afghan forces. We’ll continue to bring them home and reduce our forces further, down to an embassy presence by the end of next year," Obama said.

"But Afghanistan remains a very dangerous place. And as so many families know, our troops continue to risk their lives for us."

(Reporting by Jeff Mason; Editing by Peter Cooney)

source: interaksyon.com

Memorial Day: Cat Cora, Padma Lakshmi Share Healthy Eating Tips for Summer

Memorial Day marks the start of the summer grilling season, and what better way to spend the holiday that with your family and friends – outside.

Celebrity chef Cat Cora – and star Bravo's Around the World in 80 Plates – says including your children in your meal planning can lead to fun and, most importantly, healthy dining experiences.

In Smart Chefs Stay Slim: Lessons in Eating and Living from America's Best Chefs, by PEOPLE senior editor Allison Adato, Cora is just one of many celebrity chefs (including Tom Colicchio, Wolfgang Puck, Rick Bayless) with nutritious tips to share.

Cora's big suggestion? Eat with your kids outside!

The Iron Chef and wife Jennifer are outnumbered by their four young sons. But the grown-ups still eat the healthy dinners they enjoy – and refuse to cave to kiddie food like buttered noodles or chicken fingers. At their home they'll grill fish, chicken and vegetables, appealing to the boys by making skewered versions.

Anything on a stick, says Cora, "the kids love it. We'll do a salmon skewer and romesco sauce [nuts, garlic, olive oil and peppers] or lamb with a mint-yogurt sauce and pita bread."

Looking for more ideas? PEOPLE recently surveyed many more chefs for their best healthy summer eating tips and tricks. Here is some more creative advice:

• "Make coconut water into ice cubes for drinks, or just suck on them like mini popsicles." – Melissa d'Arabian, host of Food Network's Ten Dollar Dinners

• "Slice chilled cucumbers, leave the skin on and sprinkle them with sea salt. They're a great potato chip alternative." – Geoffrey Zakarian, judge on Food Network's Chopped

• "Try mango chutney with apple and cheddar grilled cheese sandwiches." – Padma Lakshmi, host of Top Chef

• "Agave nectar is perfect to add to sweet tea or a cocktail!" – Patrick and Gina Neely, hosts of Food Network's Down Home with the Neelys (Agave nectar is natural syrup from the agave plant, which is sweeter than sugar.)

source: people.com

US Embassy in Manila closed on May 28 for 'Memorial Day'

The United States Embassy in Manila and its affiliated offices will be closed to the public on Monday, May 28, in observance of Memorial Day, a US federal holiday.

Regular embassy services will resume on Tuesday, May 29, the embassy said in a news release.

Memorial Day is an American holiday observed on the last Monday of May.

The holiday honors the men and women who have lost their lives while serving in the US military.

This holiday was originally known as Decoration Day.

It originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. - GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com