President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday paid his respects to fallen American soldiers during a visit to Arlington National Cemetery near Washington.

The chief executive laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a historic monument for all war dead whose remains have not been found or identified.

The President was also given a tour of the museum during his visit.

The chief executive’s visit to the most famous cemetery in the United States follows several high-level dialogues earlier in the week, which included his meetings with US President Joseph Biden and US Vice President Kamala Harris.

The President also met with members of the US Senate on Wednesday where they discussed a wide range of issues that include security, defense, agriculture, and climate change mitigation, economic cooperation and cyber security.

Marcos was joined at the Arlington Cemetery by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez; Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo; Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez; National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, and Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Lagdameo Jr.

Arlington National Cemetery serves as a final resting place for many of America’s heroes, including the more than 300,000 who took part in every armed conflict, from the Revolutionary War to the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan.

The cemetery, since its founding in 1866, has provided a solemn place to reflect upon the sacrifices made by the men and women of the US Armed Forces.

The Filipino leader is in the US for a five-day official visit aimed at deepening relations with Manila’s longstanding ally. (PND)