Bush honors the fallen at Arlington

President Bush paid solemn tribute Monday to America’s fallen forces, labeling the more than 3,800 U.S. troops killed in combat so far in Iraq and Afghanistan “a new generation of heroes.”

This year’s Memorial Day comes four days after Bush warned a war-weary nation that he anticipated increased American military casualties in Iraq this summer as a result of the troop buildup underway.

The president marked the annual day of remembrance by meeting service members who received medals for distinguished service, as well as families of several soldiers killed in battle, in the Oval Office. He then was driven to Arlington National Cemetery where he placed the traditional wreath of red, white and blue flowers before the Tomb of the Unknowns, bowing his head while a bugler played taps.

His wife, Laura, stood nearby with relatives of fallen troops. Behind them, thousands of small U.S. flags fluttered along the orderly rows of white tombstones.

In his remarks, Bush invoked the memory of Americans killed during the Civil War, the two world wars, Korea and Vietnam, as well as those slain in battle in Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 368,000 are interred in the national burial ground.

“Now this hallowed ground receives a new generation of heroes, men and women who gave their lives in places such as Kabul and Kandahar, Baghdad and Ramadi,” Bush said. “Like those who came before them, they did not want war, but they answered the call when it came.”

As of Monday, at least 3,455 U.S. troops had died in Iraq since the March 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. At least 390 had died in and around Afghanistan since late 2001, when U.S. troops ousted the Taliban, according to the website icasualties.org, which tracks war-related deaths.

Bush said America’s freedom came at great cost and required strong resolve and common purpose, and he indirectly addressed public criticism of the war in Iraq.

“As before in our history, Americans find ourselves under attack and underestimated,” he said. “Our enemies long for our retreat. They question our moral purpose. They doubt our strength of will. Yet even after five years of war, our finest citizens continue to answer our enemies with courage and confidence.”

Bush praised those who volunteer for the military. “Hundreds of thousands of patriots still raise their hands to serve their country,” he said. “Tens of thousands who have seen war on the battlefield volunteer to reenlist.”

They “are not fatalists or cynics,” he added. “They know that one day this war will end, as all wars do. Our duty is to ensure that its outcome justifies the sacrifices made by those who fought and died in it.”

Bush sought to comfort the families of those who have died. “Nothing said today will ease your pain,” he said. “But each of you need to know that your country thanks you.”

At a White House news conference Thursday, Bush warned that U.S. casualties in Iraq might increase sharply this summer as the United States completed a troop buildup designed to help stabilize the country and reduce sectarian violence in Baghdad. Aides said the larger U.S. military presence might spark fierce resistance from Iraq’s varied insurgent forces.

“We’re going to expect heavy fighting,” Bush said. “We can expect more American and Iraqi casualties.”

He added, “It could be a bloody -- it could be a very difficult August.”

White House officials fear that heavy U.S. casualties could further undermine public support for the Iraq war. Bush last week secured a deal in Congress to finance American operations in Iraq and Afghanistan without a timetable for withdrawal, which many Democrats had sought.

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bob.drogin@latimes.com