While on a diplomatic visit to the United States during the week of 24 February 2009, Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso visited Arlington National Cemetery. During his visit, the Prime Minister placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Uknowns and one in Section 60, where many of the casualties of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom are buried.
Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, front left, is escorted by Major General Richard J. Rowe Jr., Commander of the Military District of Washington, front second left, as they walk to the Tomb of the Unknowns for a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Tuesday, February 24, 2009Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, front left, is escorted by Major General Richard J. Rowe Jr., Commander of the Military District of Washington, front second left, as they walk to the Tomb of the Unknowns for a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Tuesday, February 24, 2009Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, center left, escorted by Major General Richard J. Rowe Jr., Commander of the Military District of Washington, center right, pays his respects at the Tomb of the Unknowns, by laying a wreath, Tuesday, February 24, 2009, at Arlington National CemeteryJapanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, center left, escorted by Major General Richard J. Rowe Jr., Commander of the Military District of Washington, center right, pays his respects at the Tomb of the Unknowns, by laying a wreath, Tuesday, February 24, 2009, at Arlington National CemeteryJapanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, center, escorted by Major General Richard J. Rowe Jr., Commander of the Military District of Washington, right, lays wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, Tuesday, February 24, 2009, at Arlington National CemeteryJapanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, center, escorted by Major General Richard J. Rowe Jr., Commander of the Military District of Washington, right, pays his respects at the Tomb of the Unknowns, after laying a wreath, Tuesday, February 24, 2009, at Arlington National CemeteryA member of a US military honor guard salutes a funeral as he waits for Prime Minister of Japan Taro Aso to lay a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia February 24, 2009. The section of the cemetery where Aso laid the wreath is the final resting place of many US soldiers and sailors killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.Japan's Prime Minister Taro Aso (3rd L) arrives with Arlington National Cemetery Superintendant John Metzler (R) to lay a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, February 24, 2009Japan's Prime Minister Taro Aso (L), assisted by a military honor guard member, lays a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia February 24, 2009Japan's Prime Minister Taro Aso (L) and Arlington National Cemetery Superintendant John Metzler (R), stand with their hands over their hearts after laying a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, February 24, 2009Prime Minister of Japan Taro Aso participates in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia February 24, 2009Japan's Prime Minister Taro Aso (2nd R), with Arlington National Cemetery Superintendant John Metzler (R), stands for the playing of Taps after laying a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, February 24, 2009Prime Minister of Japan Taro Aso departs in his motorcade after a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia February 24, 2009
Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.
