Nation pays tribute to sacrifices of veterans

[November 12, 2012]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- From sea to shining sea, the nation is paying tribute to its members of the armed services.

Veterans Day commemorations on Sunday included somber traditions such as a Virginia wreath-laying ceremony attended by President Barack Obama in honor of those who didn't make it back from active duty. They also featured lighthearted perks such as red-carpet treatment at Las Vegas casinos for those who did.

In California, a war memorial cross that once stood in a national park before being deemed unconstitutional is being resurrected. The return of the cross caps a landmark legal case for veterans fighting similar battles on public lands.

Meanwhile, storm-ravaged New York hosted the country's largest Veterans Day parade with turnout sparse along some sections of the 30-block route.

Sunday marks the official commemoration of Veterans Day, but the federal holiday will be observed Monday.

[Associated Press]

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