As Americans marked Veterans Day November 11, President Obama spoke at Arlington Cemetery, where many who served in U.S. wars are buried.

The president spoke a great deal about those currently serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. “For those who are serving in far-flung places today, when your tour ends, when you see our flag, when you touch our soil, you will be home in an America that is forever here for you, just as you’ve been there for us,” he said.

Obama also made an unannounced visit to the section of the cemetery where victims of those wars are buried and spoke with relatives of the fallen. Video of his speech is available on the White House Web site.

President Obama spoke at another solemn ceremony the day before, this one a memorial for those killed at the Fort Hood military base November 5. To family members of the victims, he said, “your loved ones endure through the life of our nation. Their memory will be honored in the places they lived and by the people they touched.” Text of the president’s remarks is available on the White House Web site.

In a rare Saturday session, the House of Representatives passed a health insurance reform bill, the first step in what could still be a long process in bringing changes to the American health care system. The bill’s passage is the first of its kind in decades, and a victory of sorts for President Obama who has made health care reform one of his top priorities.

In an e-mail to his supporters, President Obama said “you and millions of your fellow supporters didn’t just witness history tonight, you helped make it. … Tonight’s vote brought every American closer to the secure, affordable care we need.”

The Senate will likely vote on health insurance reform in the coming weeks, and if a bill is passed it is probable that there will be differences between the two legislative bodies’ versions. Those differences will have to be sorted out and voted on before any bill is signed into law.

More information about the administration’s health care goals is available on the White House Web site.

“There’s no greater honor but also no greater responsibility for me than to make sure that the extraordinary men and women in uniform are properly cared for and that their safety and security when they are at home is provided for,” Obama said today.

The president was speaking about a shooting at the Fort Hood military base in Texas that killed at least 12 people.

“These are men and women who have made the selfless and courageous decision to risk and, at times, give their lives to protect the rest of us on a daily basis,” Obama said. “It’s difficult enough when we lose these brave Americans in battles overseas; it is horrifying that they should come under fire at an Army base on American soil.”

Obama said he has spoken with Defense Secretary Robert Gates and top military, security and investigative officials to ensure Fort Hood is secure.

For Democratic politicians, many consider President Obama to be a great political asset. That may be why Virginia Gubernatorial Candidate Creigh Deeds held a campaign rally with Obama and current Virginia Governor Tim Kaine October 27.

“Again and again, Creigh has been there for the people of Virginia, and now he needs you to be there for them,” Obama told the audience. He said the state needs a governor who will worry less about politics and more about the people of the state. “That’s the kind of person Creigh Deeds is.”

Obama’s support may not be enough for Deeds – recent polls like this one (PDF) have him trailing by quite a bit ahead of the November 3 election.

President Obama declared the spread of H1N1 influenza a national emergency, more of a procedural move than a cause for alarm.

The declaration enables health care facilities facing H1N1 outbreaks to more quickly implement new procedures or set up alternative care sites. These facilities will be able to submit waivers that will excuse them from certain regulations.

“H1N1 flu is moving rapidly throughout the country and the majority of states now have widespread influenza activity,” the White House says. More information about the emergency declaration is available on the White House Web site.

A group of elementary school students eating lunch welcomed a surprise guest to their cafeteria – President Obama. The president stopped by October 19 to congratulate the students on their reading skills and test scores.

“I wanted to come by and introduce myself, to say I’m very proud of you,” the president said. “I am hoping that you guys will continue to read, read, read, and that all of you are going to be really working hard not just this year but all the way through high school and then all the way through college.”