Per one commentary I heard this morning, the President lays the wreath on Memorial Day and the VP lays it on Veterans Day.
The commentator didn't elaborate whether this was a long-standing tradition. I would bet there is some protocol that has been in place through many administrations.
Bush has done it the past 3 years plus 2000.
IMO, it's his job.
It's definitely not an accident that the president is in one place, the VP in another and General Pace in a third. They get better coverage this way.
The president could not give this type of speech at Arlington. Also, when he needs a recharge, he gives speeches in front of the military, because he loves them and they love him.
Also, c-span couldn't possibly get around not showing this today. They usually wouldn't show one of his speeches. An example is: They didn't show ANY of his trip last week, but they had time to show Chavez (is that his name--the one who lead the riots) spewing his hatred for him.
This way, the president gets THREE speeches covered today and they all mentioned the war, etc. Tonight c-span has shown the president's speech 3 times already and each one is followed by the VP and then Gen. Pace. If there had been just two events today, they would have shown both of them once or twice maximum, with some democrat in between. I think it was VERY smart planning and it was a wonderful speech.