Free Republic

ELWOOD, Illinois (Reuters) – President Barack Obama's Memorial Day observance was stopped in its tracks on Monday by a torrential downpour accompanied by bolts of lightning and booming thunder. Obama thrilled the crowd at Abraham Lincoln National Ceremony by appearing under an umbrella as the rain poured down. But he did not deliver his prepared remarks honoring troops who died fighting for the United States. Instead he urged the crowd to seek shelter.

Sun Feb 23, 5:09 PM ET Elwood (L) and his canine pal Jake, march in the Mystic Krewe of Barkus parade through the French Quarter of New Orleans, February 23, 2003. Over 1,000 pooches marched in the annual Mardi Gras parade. Fat Tuesday is March 4. REUTERS/David Rae Morris