sergeant george olivera, killed in afghanistan. >> have a great memorial day, everyone. spend it wisely. >> good morning and we're awaiting the start of a solemn day of remembrance of our nation's capital. a live look at the world war ii memorial in washington to honor the 400,000 americans who died in that war. president donald trump, meanwhile, will be at arlington national cemetery to participate in the traditional wreath laying at the tomb of the unknown soldier later this morning. we'll bring that to you live as well. good morning, i'm ed henry live in america's newsroom. >> i'm heather childers on this

memorial day. bill and shannon are off. taking a look at the pictures of the world war ii memorial one of the greatest stories and opportunities i had was to go on an honor flight and take a plane full of world war ii veterans there to that site. >> when you see all people lining up. they bring children honoring the greatest generation and see about their sacrifices today where we honor everyone's service. the men and women in uniform but on memorial day those who actually paid the ultimate sacrifice. >> they'll name names at this ceremony. several special guests. there is a pearl harbor survivor 105 years old. i want to see him. >> i met him recently. he was on "fox & friends" before all these ceremonies a couple weeks back. wonderful man in wonderful spirits. the history that he saw so many of the greatest generation still dying off now and it's good to remember them while they are still here so we can honor their own sacrifice as well. >> so many lied about their

ages, lied to their moms just so they could go and do their service to the country because they considered it such an honor. and when you talk to them about the service that they did now, they say i was just doing my job. >> exactly. president trump obviously had this long foreign trip. this is a big day for him as welcoming back. a lot of political issues to deal with this week in particular with his staff, the russia investigation. but today a day to pause, remember, reflect, and honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. >> we had a couple gold star families on "fox & friends" first. this morning we had a gold star wife who lost her husband in afghanistan and we had a gold star mother as well. and the bottom line from both of them was for people to just not forget either their loved ones or those who are still serving overseas right now. >> that's right. you mentioned that gold star wife. i heard her, the widow, --

afghanistan is now the longest war. we can't forget about it. president trump front of mind for him. he is back in washington following his first overseas trip and has a lot to deal with that will be coming up at the white house in the days ahead. >> when we continue to talk about the military, speaking of that, the budget. the budget as well has been first and foremost. >> he talked a lot about the budget. he tweeted today we remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service. thank you, god bless your families and god bless the usa and taking aim at familiar targets calling ot leakers and fake news. the president tweeting the fake news media works hard as demeaning by use of social media because they don't want america to hear the real story. kristin fisher is live. president trump returned to washington some of the same problems plaguing him 10 days ago.

the leaks, russian investigations and he is tweeting with it and how is he dealing with it today? >> president trump is in the process of mounting an aggressive defense. yesterday his newly hired private attorney for the russia probe, and his senior staff is setting up a war room. the last bomb to drop is regarding his son-in-law jared kushner. saying he tried to establish a secret communications channel with the kremlin. democrats are calling for a security clearance to be revoked but the president is standing by kushner. he said i have total confidence in him. he is respected by virtually everyone and is working on programs that will save our country billions of dollars. in addition to that perhaps most importantly he is a very good person. now, homeland security secretary general john kelly is also defending him saying on

fox news sunday the idea of a secret back channel with moscow didn't bother him. >> i think any channel of communication back or otherwise with a country like russia is a good thing. multiple ways to communicate back and forth is a good thing with any country, i think, particularly a country like russia. >> so across the board the trump administration is defending kushner while attacking the people who leaked the story and ed, it's safe to say we can only expect those kinds of attacks against the media and leakers to escalate as the russia probe heats up. >> today an important day for any president to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. the president will do that at arlington later this morning. the rest of the week beyond symbolism there is a lot of substance to deal with as well. >> there is some substance and probably the biggest piece of that substance has to do with

the paris climate accord. president trump is expected to announce a decision this week about whether or not to stay in it or pull out. he said on saturday he would do that sometimes this week. but today memorial day the focus is, of course, on our fallen troops and a little bit later today, later this morning actually president trump will head to arlington national cemetery delivering remarks and laying a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier. >> kristin fisher, thank you at the white house. we'll get to that later when the president goes to arlington national cemetery. let's listen in on some moving moments here at the world war ii war memorial. [band playing national anthem] ♪

>> you can certainly hear what is always very, very moving day all across the united states of america. particularly help world war ii memorial. >> over a million service people -- military men and

women have given their lives. the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty for our country. >> absolutely. >> almighty god, please be with us here during this sacred occasion. may your presence be in our midst and in willing hearts to bring peaceful comfort surpasses natural ability. help us as we honor those who have bravely gone before us and paid the ultimate sacrifice. let this time of reverence and admiration be honoring to those who occupy the great cloud of witnesses that surrounds us and may this commemoration be medicinal to families or comrade departing from this life while serving in the united states armed forces. let it bring a sense of amazement in regard to the sacrificing disposition of those we're here to honor.

may this occasion inspire gratitude and hume ailt in all u.s. citizens, service members, military family members and all who love this country. have your way here today that our fallen are well regarded. in the most holy name we pray, amen. >> please be seated. >> you heard the prayer there, a solemn occasion. a little later this hour vice president mike pence will also be speaking at the annual project hero memorial day bike ride. as we mentioned president trump, we'll hear from him in a couple of hours as well at arlington national cemetery. >> we'll take that for you live as well. as we honor our veterans at home today german chancellor angela merkel says europe can no longer rely on the united states after talking with president trump at the g-7

summit this weekend. she said europe must take its fate into its own hands. byron york is a fox news contributor and joins us on this memorial day. thank you for joining us. as we watch this ceremony at the world war ii memorial honoring our military members today, what do you think about the comments that angela merkel had to say. >> merkel's comments are being interpreted as proof that donald trump did terrible damage to the u.s./germany relationship during his trip to europe. it's true that as far as germany and the rest of europe is concerned, the president did not tell them what they wanted to hear. at the nato meeting he suggested very strongly -- argued strongly they must pay more in their own defense. he questioned their priorities by noting they just spent $1.4 billion on a new headquarters building. he did not explicitly reaffirm

the article v commitment to mutual defense. and perhaps most offensively to them at all he suggested the united states would pull out of the paris climate accords which is something they believe in with almost religious intensity. but the idea that somehow donald trump has destroyed what used to be a wonderful relationship is just not true. the iraq war and the presidency of george w. bush did terrible damage to the united states/germany relationship and relations with europe as well. >> some would argue the relationship was at its lowest with president obama. >> right. it gets bad during the iraq war and barack obama is a candidate is a rock star in germany. then as a president manages to make the relations even worse. there is an enormous spying operation, u.s. spying on germans, including the united

states tapping merkel's telephone. the idea that they were perfect relations with the united states and germany and europe and damaged by trump is not true. >> for others at home it's a reminder as to why he was elected in the first place. thank you for joining us, byron. we appreciate it. >> a whole lot happening in washington this week. republicans pushing back on records that jared kushner tried to establish secret communications with russian officials during the presidential transition. >> makes no sense that the russian ambassador to report back to a channel that we're monitoring. the whole story line is suspicious. i've never been more concerned about all things russia than i am right now. >> what should we make of these reports? will robert mueller be able to get to the bottom of it? >> new developments out of manchester, more raids, more arrests as we get some new pictures of the bombing suspect.

>> tragedy strikes during new york city's famous fleet week as a navy seal plunges to his death. >> next thing you know, this individual came down like a rock, his parachute folded up and he just a straight shot coming down. we thought it was the bag from the flag. for retirement. then we asked some older people when they actually did start saving. this gap between when we should start saving and when we actually do is one of the reasons why too many of us aren't prepared for retirement. just start as early as you can. it's going to pay off in the future. if we all start saving a little more today, we'll all be better prepared tomorrow. prudential. bring your challenges.

depend real fit briefs feature breathable, cotton-like fabric. in situations like this, there's no time for distractions. it's not enough to think i'm ready. i need to know i'm ready. no matter what lies ahead. get a free sample at depend.com. ykeep you sidelined.ng that's why you drink ensure. with 9 grams of protein and 26 vitamins and minerals. for the strength and energy to get back to doing... ...what you love. ensure. always be you. >> we're chasing our tails as a nation when it comes to the

russians. i don't know who leaked this supposed conversation but just think about it this way. you have the ambassador of russia reporting back to moscow on an open channel hey, jared kushner is going to move into the embassy. i don't trust this story as far as i can throw it. >> ed: senator lindsey graeme casting down on a "washington post" report claiming that jared kushner and russia's ambassador to washington discussed setting up a secret line of communication with moscow during the presidential transition. meant to go undetected by u.s. intelligence though, of course, it was detected. let's bring in isaac wright. former executive director of the hillary clinton super pac correct the record and rachel campos duffy. what is your sense when even lindsey graham, no fan of this president, they clashed repeatedly during the campaign and exchanged sharp words. now even he is saying it doesn't add up. >> if this isn't true, why is the administration sending out

kelly and mcmaster over the weekend to defend against the charge rather than deny it. the trump administration is not saying this isn't true. they're saying it's okay that jared kushner as a security clearance individual who was senior advisor to the president and his son-in-law wanted to open up private back channels through the russian embassy. >> ed: let me play a moment from the 2012 campaign where then president obama talked about having an open line of communication with russia. >> after my election i have more flexibility. >> ed: rachel. i transfer this information to vladimir. wasn't president obama talking about having a front line or back channel direct line communication with vladimir putin? >> of course, it is not illegal to do that. in fact, as the high-level surrogates that our friend here

talked about that came out this weekend in defense of jared kushner, this is common and actually good. remember, there has been no evidence of collusion between the trump administration, jared kushner, anyone else. we know that from dianne feinstein and james clapper. they both confirmed that. yes, can i just say if this had been any other president, we would be talking about the treasonous and illegal leakers. if this happened to a young obama presidency we would be talking right now the media would be making the conversation about really a deep state intelligence coup off this young black president. we have a conversation here about hearsay, no proof of anything and no talk about what the real illegal acts are, which are the leaks. >> on the contrary. if this were any other administration we would be talking about criminal charges against jared kushner, against

general sessions and all those in the trump administration who falsified national security documents and lied about and tried to mislead about their secret meetings with russians during and after the campaign. >> ed: those are heavy charges. criminal charges over what? >> over the fact they left these meetings off. they misled and covered up the meetings on their national security clearance forms where they're legally bound to disclose these meetings. >> ed: in the case of sessions the f.b.i. agent who advised him told him not to include them. >> the man in charge of our law enforcement he himself said he could not read the law or interpret the form adequately but had to take an unnamed source as advisement over his own legal opinion? if that's the case it's a question of competency. >> secret talks with iran, where was the deep state patriots then. where was the media then?

these were secret deals that were misleading congress and the american people. i think donald trump is getting a really raw deal by the media and the intelligence community. >> ed: we'll have to continue the conversation. thanks for being here. >> heather: we're not done. moments from now vice president mike pence and v.a. secretary will kick off a project hero memorial day bike ride. the v.p. will speak at the rally and take you there live. as we pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice this memorial day we'll tell you about a new app that makes it easy for all of us here at home to help our troops in harm's way.

>> heather: tragedy on this memorial day weekend. a navy seal team member is killed after a parachute accident during a fleet week demonstration near the statue of liberty. >> navy seal's parachute failed to open properly and he landed in the water. our hearts and our prayers go out to his family. i ask for all of your prayers to the navy seal community who lost a true patriot today. >> heather: so sad. we're live in the new york newsroom with the latest. >> a tragic scene indeed. the u.s. navy's elite parachute team was conducting a demonstration in front of a crowd near the statue of liberty sunday. only three of four landed safely. it shows a falling parachute. the fourth navy seal was able to cut himself loose from the failed shoot. it landed in a parking lot and

he plunged into the hudson river at 12:10 yesterday in jersey city. the u.s. coast guard and new jersey fire department marine unit was standing by and they rescued him. he was rushed to the jersey medical center and pronounced dead an hour later. the identity of the navy seal hasn't been released as authorities alert his next of kin. before the accident the leap frogs posted this photo on facebook encouraging new yorkers to look tow skies to see them jump in honor of memorial day weekend. in celebration of navy fleet week. the cause of the accident is now under investigation. this is the 29th annual fleet week in new york city. the event showcases u.s. warships and thousands of servicemen and women helping the big apple mark memorial day and remember, those who sacrificed their lives serving this country and our hearts are with that navy seal's family today. we covered the a year ago today and it was an incredible show. they're very talented.

our hearts go out with that tight knit family as well. >> ed: vice president mike pence about to speak at project hero memorial day bike ride coming up. it's an annual tradition at the vice president's official mansion, the naval observatory in washington a mile or so from the white house. you can see bikers getting ready to start the big bike ride. this is a tradition for the vice president, the president we mentioned, president trump will be heading over to arlington cemetery shortly at 11:00 a.m. eastern time that we'll hear from the president. in the meantime the vice president as well about to weigh in. >> heather: a lot of ceremonies going on not only in our nation's capital but across the country today as we remember our military members and as we were mentioning earlier folks saying that it's unfortunate that we can't do this throughout the year and take time out to remember the lives lost, remember the military members who are still serving

overseas. >> ed: i've spoken to vice president pence for him. front of mind for him and the new v.a. secretary. he will speak in a moment. once the secretary and the vice president get to the podium we'll go there live. in the meantime. british authorities making another arrest in connection with the deadly arena bombing in manchester. coming up how the ongoing investigation is now spang hundreds of miles. >> heather: plus a national -- see this at the indianapolis 500. wow, sending debris all over the racetrack. how the driver was able to escape with his life amazingly. >> is safety cell on these cars, i can't tell you how strong they are. an awful accident but as we saw -- rimp you love are teaming up in so many new ways. like new coastal lobster and shrimp, with a lobster tail with butter and herbs, sweet, smoky bbq red shrimp, and shrimp crusted with...get this...cape cod kettle chips.

or try lobster and shrimp overboard. a dish this good... makes you this hungry. it's the highlight of the season, and can't last. so hurry in. at bp's cooper river plant, employees take safety personally - down to each piece of equipment, so they can protect their teammates and the surrounding wetlands, too. because safety is never being satisfied. and always working to be better.

>> heather: welcome back. another provocation from north korea, the pentagon says the regime test fired a scud-type missile off its east coast early monday. this is the ninth missile test

this year and the missile flew for six minutes before splashing down in the sea of japan. here is jim mattis. >> conflict in north korea, john, would be probably the worst kind of fighting in most people's lifetimes. the bottom line is, it would be a catastrophic war if this turns into combat if we're not able to resolve this situation through diplomatic means. >> heather: as president trump tweeting this this morning. a north korea has shown great disrespect for their neighbor china by shooting off yet another ballistic missile. but china is trying hard. >> ed: meanwhile british police arresting their 16th suspect in the bombing in manchester. it is taking them to england's southern coast hundreds of miles away from the actual attack. this as authorities appeal for help with new images of the

alleged bomber, salman abedi. what can you tell us about the investigation? >> it has been almost a week since the horrendous attack on that concert a week ago in manchester, u.k. the police in their words are still operating at full steam ahead. another arrest today hundreds of miles from where the attack occurred in southern u.k. a raid inside manchester and two arrests yesterday. police circulated two new images of suspect 22-year-old libyan british man salman abedi trying to figure out exactly what were his movements. even though they put together a lot of information, they know, for example, he returned from libya where his father and his brother are on the thursday prior to that attack. then assembled that horrendous backpack bomb. first at his home about three miles from the scene of the

attack, and then at a rented apartment just a couple of blocks away. remember, 22 were killed in the attack. the latest figures we're seeing still 63 hospitalized in the greater manchester area. >> ed: as you know better than everyone, in the early hours we were told by investigators they believe the bomber was a mule and that basically what they're trying to get at is the bomb maker, who was really behind all this to stop them from further attacks. do we know how far along they are in that and what questions they're asking in this investigation to get to the bottom of it? >> they are geting to the bottom of that quickly. 14 are held and in the words of one law enforcement official i spoke with late last week, they feel like they're getting their hands around the network that had been supporting abedi. the new question now in the last couple of days is investigating the investigators. that is, the u.k. authorities

trying to figure out how abedi got through their own net. he was a part of a group of something like 20,000 would-be islamist jihadis but wasn't in a core group of 3,000 that could have done the attack. one more note here in manchester over the weekend. the great run there, a half marathon and 10k. 40,000 on the streets. that's really what i learned this past week there in manchester, not just that an attack can happen there but the city can stand up to it. back to you. >> ed: what a wonderful tribute for people to stand up and not be afraid. we appreciate your reporting, greg. >> heather: for more on the massive terrorist sweep going on in england let's bring in a national security analyst for the margaret thatcher center for freedom. thank you for joining us. as you just heard greg talking there, a 16th arrest so far. how do you feel the investigation is moving?

i feel like it has moved very quickly. we're less than a week from the incident that happened. >> the u.k. has been moving fast on this. the fact these arrests have been made and the fact that they've downgraded the threat level from critical to severe which is still a highly likely situation. but it gives you a sense of the u.k. authorities. think they're beginning to get a handle on the size of the network. you can never guarantee security in these type of situations. >> heather: especially when you consider the numbers involved. you had mentioned there are 23 -- 2,300 jihadists that have been concerns for u.k. authorities. >> 23,000 subjects of concern for the british authorities of which they think there is a core of 3,000 that they're especially concerned about. to give context for that. in 2014 the cia made estimates of isis's size in iraq and

syria. around the same size as the british government are trying to deal with in terms of the home grown problem. it's a major, major security headache for the british government. >> heather: 23,000 i should have said and 400 investigations going on right now. here is what secretary kelly had to say about the leaks that were involved in this. >> if it came from the united states, it's totally unacceptable. i don't know why people do these kind of things. but it's borderline, if not over the line of treason. >> heather: we have the wrap up because the vice president is now speaking and we want to go there live but thank you. >> ed: as mentioned vice president mike pence there getting ready to introduce project hero. >> i'm honored to host project hero back at the home of the vice president of the united

states. you know, it's written if you owe debts, pay debts. if respect, then respect. and there is a day in november when we remember those who served and came home. but i know all of you know better than i ever will that this is the day we remember those who served and did not come home. and to be able to welcome you heroes here, all of you who have worn the uniform of the united states and many of whom have worn the uniform of law enforcement and have borne in your own bodies and in your own minds the burdens that come with that service. be able to welcome you here on this most hallowed of days is profoundly humbling to karen and i. and so i say to each one of you, thank you for your service.

you make this place better for you being here today. and you honor us all. [applause] it is memorial day 2017. their duty was to serve, our duty is to remember. and i want to thank project hero and john and all the organizers who are here that have marked this day in particular for this ride as a part of the ongoing tribute. we'll be joining the president in just a few moments at arlington national cemetery to lay a wreath, say a prayer and remember our fallen. you will be engaged in a more energetic activity. and karen and i have to tell you, we're just a little bit jealous because we're bikers. [applause] we are. and we'd love to ride with you. now -- >> we can make that happen.

>> especially the first five miles that are all downhill. that's what i heard. but you go with our prayers and you go with our thanks. all the sponsors of project hero and all that's brought all of you here today. let me say to all of you, it's the greatest privilege of my life to be vice president, to a president who cares so deeply about the men and women of our armed forces and the veterans of the united states, president donald trump. [applause] you know, the president just returned from an extraordinary trip in europe where he met with world leaders, but he punctuated that trip meeting with troops in italy and he said it now falls to us the prove worthy of their sacrifice. and that's our ongoing challenge as americans, isn't

it? it's to be as good as those we remember particularly on this day. i think the work of project hero is a way that we honor all those who have served in a unique way. since its founding in 2008 you brought attention to those heroes suffering from their time of service. not all of the wounds from war are visible. and project hero's efforts to create community around cycling has healed hearts and healed minds across this country. and we commend the organizers and commend the sponsors. it is heartbreaking to think today that as many as 1 in 5 veterans has ptsd and over 340,000 service members received traumatic brain injury. it makes all the more important

the work of project hero and organizations like this that are coming alongside men and women who have served in the uniform of the united states or in your case in the uniform of law enforcement to give comfort and strength to those who are healing from those unseen wounds. project hero really proves that anything is possible for those that believe in one another and are willing to be there for one another. i also want to thank secretary shulkin for his efforts to finally give veterans of the united states the healthcare they've earned and deserve in uniform. [applause] . i'm pleased to report to you that just last month president trump signed an executive order to ensure the department of veterans affairs is effective and accountable and the president also signed into law the veterans choice improvement

act to insure our heroes have access to the choices they deserve in the world class healthcare that you've earned. i hope all of you see today in the hospitality that we've extended as just one more token of the gratitude of all of the american people for the service that's represented here. we wish you godspeed, safe travels all the way to virginia beach and for project hero and all of those that it helps, all the way to a full recovery in an america that cherishes all those who serve. thank you very much, god bless you. have a great race. it's a great honor to be here and welcome you here today. [applause] mrs. pence just offered to say a quick prayer to send you off. is that all right? >> if you're inclined, bow your

head. heavenly father, we thank you for these amazing people, these amazing first responders, veterans, law enforcement, thank you for their dedication to serving even beyond what they've served in the past. we pray that you would give them just a wonderful ride to virginia beach. keep them safe. bless their conversation and their fellowship. help them to feel all along the way the support of the american people. we ask all of these things in your name, amen. don't forget all these oranges and bananas before you leave. we don't want those all left over. >> can i have tony, stephen, monica and sean come up here, please?

>> ed: the second lady said take the oran the president speaking in arlington right after this break. but entresto is a medicie that helps make more tomorrows possible. ♪ tomorrow, tomorrow... ♪ i love ya, tomorrow in the largest heart failure study ever, entresto helped more people stay alive and out of the hospital than a leading heart failure medicine. women who are pregnant must not take entresto. it can cause harm or death to an unborn baby. don't take entresto with an ace inhibitor or aliskiren. if you've had angioedema while taking an ace or arb medicine, don't take entresto. the most serious side effects are angioedema, low blood pressure... ...kidney problems, or high potassium in your blood. ♪ tomorrow, tomorrow i love ya, tomorrow ♪ ask your heart doctor about entresto.

and help make tomorrow possible. ♪ you're only a day away.

say no to this because of my bladder? thanks to tena. not anymore! only new tena intimates has pro-skin technology designed to quickly wick away moisture. to help maintain your skin's natural balance. it goes beyond triple protection from leaks, odor and moisture. so you can feel fresh and free to get as close as you want. for a free sample call 1-877-get-tena

>> ed: the government watchdog group is out with a startling report on the impact of post traumatic stress on our veterans. the government accountability office says between 2011 and 2015 3/5 of all troops discharged for misconduct, the military equivalent of being fired, had a diagnosis of ptsd or brain injury and many were discharged -- depriving them of benefits and invaluable help as well. good morning to you. this seems critical to take a look at particularly on memorial day. you have people being discharged, men and women from

the military and we may not know, their loved ones may not know, others in the community may not know they need more help. >> exactly. this isn't a small number of people. 90,000 troops were discharged during that time period and 12,000 of them were diagnosed with ptsd or traumatic brain injury. those two conditions can cause symptoms where you have trouble concentrating, difficulty with attention and memory. definitely things that could make you late repeatedly which would be a grounds for misconduct discharge, right? so for those folks they may have a relatively minor reason for being discharged with less than honorable discharge but at the same time first of all they have the stigma of the discharge. second they have the stigma potentially of being diagnosed with these conditions and third, they aren't able to get the medical care they need. >> ed: we heard vice president pence involving project hope, the charity doing bike rides around the country talks about

helping with rehabilitation both physical and mental for veterans and first responders. that's important to do. we have 30 seconds. what can we do to help? >> i think anyone who may have been discharged for misconduct should get a medical evaluation and get these things considered. we're talking about the actual diagnosis of ptsd or brain injury. people may have those symptoms. they might be concerned about the stigma of getting diagnosed and they may not want the diagnosis. that means they have to leave the rest of their team. >> ed: when they come back to a civilian job if they're late for work it might be another reason. we appreciate you coming in, dr. debbie. >> heather: our brave women and men overseas putting it all on the line for us. up next we'll talk about an app that you can use to help military heroes overseas. constipated? trust #1 doctor recommended dulcolax. use dulcolax tablets for gentle dependable relief. suppositories for relief in minutes.

and dulcoease for comfortable relief of hard stools. dulcolax. designed for dependable relief. okay, i picked out my dream car. now's the really fun part. choosing the color, the wheels, the interior, everything exactly how i want it. here's the thing: just because i configured this car online doesn't mean it really exists at a dealership, but with truecar, i get real pricing on actual cars in my area. i see what others paid for them, and they show me the ones that match the car i want, so i know i can go to a truecar-certified dealer and it'll be right there waiting for me... today, right now. this is truecar.

>> ed: a terrifying scene at the indy 500. scott dixon sent airborne after being hit by a fellow driver. you can see it here. the number 9 car flying into a retaining wall, flipping over and briefly going up in flames. amazingly, heather, dixon walked off under his own power. >> heather: you watch how close his head comes to the wall there. it's a dangerous sport. the coca-cola 600 for nascar was yesterday, too. racing country. our men and women overseas are risking their lives to protect our freedom and surprisingly, they don't always have everything they need or to some of you that might not be surprising. my next guest founder of the non-profit troops need you is working to help solve that problem and joining me now is

retired lieutenant colonel eric eglin. this is a great segment to do memorial day weekend. tell me about the basis for the app, troops can request things and people can volunteer to give them what they need? >> that's right, yeah. we've been doing this for 10 years. now we're improving the technology and becoming mobile first. so people -- troops deployed in combat who have specific needs for their mission can log onto the app and just with a few touches and a photo or two can request the equipment that they need for their mission. likewise everyday americans at home can help in a meaningful way. i saw thousands of care packages lying around in iraq and afghanistan. they can donate to help fund the equipment these troops need for their mission. >> heather: one example was a new uniform for a special forces. tell us about that. >> that's right. you've got people operating in parts of the middle east, for

example, this special forces team that these uniforms that blend in better than the uniforms they're issued that blend in for iraq and afghanistan. colorado's desert and mountains versus arizona. they have the uniforms that blend in great for yellow green environments but stick out like a sore thumb in the red environment. when they go on sniper missions and surveillance they feel like they're sitting ducks. we'll raise the money to send them the uniforms they need. >> heather: that's the memorial day challenge. thank you so much for your time today. >> ed: what a wonderful way to help out. we're awaiting president trump attending the wreath laying ceremony at the tomb of the unknown soldier at arlington cemetery and the president will be speaking there. we'll bring you there live once the president starts speaking.

break through your allergies. try new flonase sensimist allergy relief instead of allergy pills. it delivers a gentle mist experience to help block six key inflammatory substances. most allergy pills only block one. new flonase sensimist changes everything. the toothpaste that helps new parodontax. prevent bleeding gums. if you spit blood when you brush or floss you may have gum problems and could be on the journey to much worse. help stop the journey of gum disease. try new parodontax toothpaste. ♪

>> heather: we're awaiting president trump's wreath laying ceremony at arlington national cemetery as the nation honors our fallen heroes. the president will speak at arlington, the final resting place for thousands of service members who paid the ultimate price for the freedom that we have today. welcome to a brand-new hour of "america's newsroom." i'm heather childers. >> ed: i'm ed henry. bill and shannon are off today. we remember the sacrifice of the past. a battle is brewing on capitol hill about the future of our national security with defense hawks bracing for a major battle over military spending. in his weekly address president trump laying out his priorities. >> president trump: for decades washington has refused to make the tough choices. as a result the american dream kha slipped from the grasp of more of our people. we need a government that spends on the right things, the

safety, security and well-being of our people. and stops the waste and abuse of taxpayer funds whether in america or in global projects overseas. >> heather: we're live in washington with the latest on this looming showdown. good morning, doug. >> after his first overseas trip as president one that is mostly regarded as a success, president trump is now back in the so-called swamp with no shortage of threats, obstacles, crisis and quicksand in which to get stuck. he promises to fight that with characteristic bravado which he demonstrated at the last stop at the navy base in italy. >> president trump: did you notice how much stronger we're getting? all the new equipment is coming in. the military budget is way up. i took a little heat on that one but it's okay with me. >> the devil in the details of the budget. not receiving the warmest

reception on capitol hill even among some republicans. >> it does not rebuild the military. it doesn't give us the ships and the numbers of personnel we need, the capabilities we need. it heals some of the readiness wounds, that is, 60% of our f-18 aircraft are not flying for lack of parts. those kinds of things. but as far as really the build-up that the president promised during the campaign, no, my friends, no, it's not there. >> the budget includes no new ships beyond what president obama had planned nor does it add new troops or airplane increases. critics add the president's expectations are unrealistic seeking huge tax cuts while also promising to increase healthcare spending. last night mr. trump tweeted, i suggest that we add more dollars to healthcare and make it the best anywhere. obamacare is dead. the republicans will do much better. the president is also being hammered by democrats who accuse him of massive cuts to entitlement spending.

the president's budget director has repeatedly countered that, that out of control entitlement spending will saddle future generations with an unsustainable debt burden and democrats refer to a budget reductions in spending increases as cuts when they are not. heather, back to you. >> heather: all right. all in the wording. thank you, doug. >> ed: the german chancellor angela merkel raising abrowse by speaking out after the nato summit. she is urging european countries to stick together saying they can no longer rely on america. >> the times in which we can fully count on others are somewhat over as i have experienced in the past few days. that is why i can only say we europeans must really take our destiny into our own hands. we have to know that we have to fight for our future and our

fate ourselves as europeans. >> ed: joining me now the deputy managing editor for "the weekly standard". what kind of selective memory merkel may have. she is pining for the days of the obama administration when they were surveilling her cell phone. >> times do change, don't they, ed? yeah, it's -- i think she obviously was taking a little bit of a dig at president trump and prime minister theresa may by saying that we can't rely on others, the united states and the united kingdom. i think the president should welcome her comments if she really is serious. and the rest of the leaders of europe are serious about taking their destiny into their own hands. it really is time for them to step up and take a bit more responsibility for themselves and not relying on the united states as they certainly have a lot in the past. >> ed: it's interesting to me the immediate reaction from the

mainstream media is that angela merkel is attacking president trump when she says europe should decide its own destiny. hello, wake up? shouldn't they have been do that for a long time on their own? why is america controlling their destiny? >> exactly. the reason people think it was a bit of a dig she used the little aside there i've discovered this over the last few days. but really, the thrust of her comments is positive. we should all be welcoming the fact that europe is saying hey, let's step up and take responsibility for ourselves. now, it's interesting that they are only saying this now that obama, president obama is out of office and president trump is in. >> ed: i'm glad you mentioned former president obama. there is another aspect i want to bring in. just a few days all before these remarks from angela merkel, former president obama was meeting with her and said this. >> if there are disruptions in these countries, if there is conflict, if there is bad governance and war, if there is

poverty, in this new world that we live in, we can't isolate ourselves or hide behind a wall. >> ed: critics have been saying president obama there while saying he will mostly stay on the sidelines mentioning a wall, he is attacking president trump and he was doing it just a few days ago with angela merkel at his side. >> i think to be honest, i think it's kind of outrageous for chancellor merkel to be inviting and welcoming former president obama so publicly on the exact same day she was meeting with president trump later that day in brussels. it is kind of outrageous to be doing that. president obama -- it's funny, you read the media stories, well, he didn't mention trump by name. he is trying to stay positive. but no, obviously saying we can't hide behind a wall is a direct reference to something that president trump has said many times. >> ed: i was covering the early days of president obama coming into office.

on one of his former trips if former president bush popped up 12 hours before after they had been deeply divided on national security issues i suspect there would have been a lot of criticism in the mainstream media. >> you're exactly right. can you imagine? they say completely inappropriate for a former president to be taking the spotlight instead of letting his successor do his job. i think president obama has to recognize hey, sorry, you're out of the spotlight nou. you are no longer president. you need to step aside and let the president deal with other world leaders and let him have his chance to do what he said he is going to do. he may or may not do it but president obama has trouble giving up the spotlight. let's face it. >> ed: it's been widely suggested around the world even president trump's critics suggest it was a pretty good trip for him his first foreign trip. is it just a coincidence that all of a sudden the criticism

is being piled on for merkel who is a strong ally of obama. it seems add after a strong trip there is a pile on. >> no matter what happened on the trip there would be a pile on. president trump is a polarizing figure. people have trouble saying -- there are a lot of things he has done in my view wrongly, not good ideas but he has done some things that have been successes and we have to recognize them when they happen. i think that there is in the media and abroad people just don't want to recognize that hey, maybe this guy can sometimes do a good job, give a great speech. talk about the things that matter like terrorism. >> ed: they might note it when he does something right. we appreciate you joining us. >> heather: france's new president macron promising tough talk with russia.

he is meeting with russian vladimir putin for the first time since taking office weeks after his campaign accused russia media of trying to interfere in their election. macron says dialogue between the two nations is vital but relations are tense as moscow and paris back different sides in the syrian civil war. >> ed: another missile test out of north korea. the rogue nation launching its ninth test this year alone. this one coming dangerously close to japan. we'll have more on that. >> heather: we follow up on yesterday's tragic stabbing in portland where the two victims are being hailed as heroes. >> ed: defense secretary james mattis says the u.s. military is preparing to ramp up the campaign against isis. our next guest gives his take on the military's new approach. >> our strategy right now is to

accelerate the campaign against isis. it is a threat to all civilized nations. you don't let anything

keep you sidelined. that's why you drink ensure. with 9 grams of protein and 26 vitamins and minerals. for the strength and energy to get back to doing... ...what you love. ensure. always be you.

if you've got a life, you gotta swiffer

i've bi've logged parhundreds of jumpsve years. in the course of my career. for the past six years i've been a navy federal member, too. thanks to my go rewards credit card, every time i pay for something like this, i'm earning rewards. if you get scared big guy, cliff and i got you. cliff's been driving a boat for six months pretty solid now. para-sail-ing! here we go! open to the armed forces, the dod, veterans and their families. navy federal credit union. >> ed: the search for answers continues after a massacre kills eight people in rural mississippi. police say a family dispute led to the shooting. dramatic video minutes after officers captured the alleged

killer. >> people that didn't even live at the house. that's what they do. they intervene. >> ed: what's next for you? >> jail. jail. my intentions was to have them kill me. i ran out of bullets. >> ed: tragic scene. i ran out of bullets. investigators are pursuing charges but too soon to speculate on a motive. >> we're going to move in an accelerated and reinforced manner. throw them on their back foot. we have already shifted from attrition tactics where we shove them from one position to another in iraq and syria, to annihilation tactics to surround them. if the foreign fighters do not survive the fight.

>> heather: james mattis, his new goal to kill isis militants rather than forcing them to retreat. this as u.s.-backed iraqi forces push into mosul to liberate the remaining isis-controlled districts of the city. i'm joined by walid phares. thank you for joining us. he said moving from attrition >> it's a change of direction how we fight isis. their military machine should not survive. we're not pushing them from mosul to go to another city, from iraq to syria or other way. what he is trying to do is basically to break that machine so there would be no surviving institution or cells that could regenerate in the future. >> heather: how do you do that? what are the tactics that would

be used? >> basically increase of air power, increase of all the other arms and possible tactics to make sure they are encircled and won't flee to any other areas. this is a change of tactics. what we need to look at is a change of strategy as well. in the sense that we need to make sure that those who are going to be in charge of the areas that isis is going to be evacuating aren't going to regenerate another isis. that's an important point. who will help us with that. the second point is making sure that the ideology is not going to survive. not just the weapons. >> heather: let's go back to both of those things you mentioned. what will happen? what is the challenge that happens after you mentioned. >> when we defeated al qaeda in iraq and with withdraw. there was an uprising by sunnis

taken advantage of isis. we'll make sure those in charge in those areas will be local arab muslim sunni who won't be creating the environment for the next jihady group. >> heather: all of this is a lot easier said than done because we've been attempting and trying to do this. what makes me think -- what makes us think it will be different this time around? >> to have the tools. tool number one is to have enough troops on the ground to en jaour once those areas are evacuated we're in control and can bring in allies on the ground and two, to have coalition. i think the trip by the president to the region and the rise of that coalition we heard of 34,000 troops ready to help us. this is the challenge and test. >> heather: speaking of that quickly. let's listen to what the president had to say on that in sicily. >> president trump: you are the men and women who make up the most powerful military in the world and under my administration, as you know, you've seen it, right?

under my administration stronger and stronger every single day. >> heather: exactly what you were just saying. they have the backing of this administration. i want to move to a second point here, though. we've heard bin laden's son taking over leapership of al qaeda. what does that mean for us? >> if this was immediately after the death of bin ladin i would say he could become a high symbol in the jihadi movement. he will become a high symbol in al qaeda. in the past three to four years you have isis. the movement has gone so big and much larger than before. he will play a role but not the role that some analysts and experts think he will. >> heather: isis defeated. then al qaeda rises back up to number one. do you think that will happen? >> that's a great question. i'm not sure. many people have different opinions. my opinion there would be a merge for a new jihadi

organization that will have the remnants of isis and some parts of al qaeda as well. we've some of it around the world now. >> heather: as history would teach us. it tends to happen. thank you very much for your insight. >> thank you. >> ed: meanwhile, on this memorial day president trump about to pay tribute to the fallen as we await his wreath laying ceremony at arlington coming after the commander-in-chief spoke to u.s. troops in italy over the weekend. >> president trump: every single day you protect the safety and security of the american people and provide a symbol of hope, freedom, and justice. >> ed: north korea does it again. test firing yet another ballistic missile. a live report on the latest provocation from the regime still ahead. that's next.

use clorox disinfecting products. because no one kills germs better than clorox.

>> heather: oregon police have identified the two men were who fatally stabbed friday on a train. a 53-year-old rick best and 23-year-old mr. methcy. both men lost their lives standing up against a man yelling ethnic and religious slurs against two female passengers. they tried to calm the man down when they were attacked. another victim was injured but expected to be okay. police arrested jeremy joseph christian charged with several charges including aggravated murder and being held without bail. >> ed: north korea launching another missile test yesterday. the missile was identified as a scud, a relatively short range surface to surface missile but

it still traveled nearly 300 miles from north korea's east coastlanding in japanese waters. we're live from the pentagon. lucas, it seems like the missile tests just keep on coming. >> that's right. this is the third consecutive weekend north korea has conducted a ballistic missile test going back to mother's day. mattis says it is not just missiles he is concerned about. >> north korean regime has hundreds of cannons and rocket launchers within range of the capital of south korea. it would be a catastrophic war if this turns into combat. >> the pentagon says the scud missile flew for six minutes. a few weeks ago there was a test of a missile that traveled for 30 minutes flying a

staggering 1,000 miles above the international space station, reentering the earth's atmosphere and landing 60 miles from russia. longer than any north korean missile to date. now secretary mattis yesterday did not give out any red lines pertaining to north korea choosing instead to keep his cards close. >> at this time what we know i would prefer to keep silent about because we may actually know some things the north koreans don't know. >> what keeps you away at night? >> nothing, i keep other people awake at night. >> the pentagon has doubled its fire power in the region. u.s.s. ronald reagan strike group joining from japan and giving -- the pentagon is planning a missile test of its own. tomorrow the u.s. missile defense agency will launch an intercontinental ballistic missile into space like the one

you see from the marshall islands in the pacific and intercept it from a base in california like hitting a bullet with a bullet. there is historical significance with the marshall islands. the first attack following pearl harbor. >> ed: the secretary says he keeps other people up at night. a not so subtle message to the north korea regime. >> heather: as we continue to monitor the situation in north korea, we're also awaiting president trump's appearance at arlington national cemetery as america honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedom. keep it right here for a special memorial day coverage. >> ed: a day of fun takes a horrifying turn after a young boy flies off the side of a giant water slide that had just opened up for the summer. oh boy, every parent's worst nightmare. details straight ahead.

>> that's not what you want to have happen on your first day. we want everyone who comes to this park to have a safe and fun experience and that's our primary goal. thanks for the ride around norfolk! and i just wanted to say, geico is proud to have served the military for over 75 years! roger that. captain's waiting to give you a tour of the wisconsin now.

could've parked a little bit closer... it's gonna be dark by the time i get there. geico®. proudly serving the military for over 75 years. thereit comes to technology, about my small business so when i need someone that understands my unique needs. my dell small business advisor has gotten to know our business so well that is feels like he's a part of our team. with one phone call, he sets me up with tailored products and services. and when my advisor is focused on my tech, i can focus on my small business. ♪ ♪

z282sz zwtz y282sy ywty only new tena intimates has ♪ it'pro-skin technologyiend

designed to quickly wick away moisture to help maintain your skin's natural balance. for a free sample, call 1-877-get-tena. >> ed: president trump is about to leave the white house any moment now for arlington national cemetery. he will lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier. part of a ceremony to remember the men and women who died fighting for our country. the president returning to u.s. soil on saturday night after a grueling trip overseas his first as president. fox news sunday former house speaker newt gingrich getting off on the mainstream media who say he is facing chaos at home. >> i hope they'll come home, focus on jobs, health, infrastructure, tax cuts, and basically shove to one side all

this garbage. >> ed: it was "fox & friends." charlie kirk is the founder and executive director of turning point usa and also -- the former dnc deputy press secretary. thank you for being here. i want to start with you first, jose. what is the deal with all of these attacks one after the other after a pretty successful foreign trip for the president? he comes home and immediately is back in the swamp. >> whatever happened to making america great again? we have scandal after scandal day after day now. trump's son-in-law is involved potentially in what happened with russia during the 2016 election. i want the american people to thrive. >> ed: i'll give you a lot of time but i have to stop you there. when you say as former dnc official you want to see this president succeed, you have to understand my skepticism. the democrats in washington and

around the country in all sincerity here have not wanted this president to succeed. >> we want him to succeed. this is the thing, though, he tried to push through a bill that so famous trump care not working. he hasn't passed the celebrate. he is celebrating at the white house for what. it hasn't become law. let's improve obamacare. let's get away from nonsense about building a wall and the nonsense about the muslim ban that court after court is saying is unconstitutional. >> ed: you call all of those things. i have to bring charlie in in a minute. you call all of those plans nonsense, the wall, the ban. these are things the president ran on and he won the election. >> the majority of the american people don't want the wall. the majority of the american people. >> ed: how did he win? >> the polls are telling us majority of americans don't want us. they want us to work together.

they're tired. the republican congress their poll ratings are under 20%. >> ed: you're saying you want the president to succeed and saying you want people to work together. charlie, have democrats shown any willingness to work with this president so far? >> almost none. there is a lot there to refute but let's focus on one key point that i think you pointed out rather well. the democrats would rather see donald trump fail than see america succeed is what it comes down to. they would rather play political games. it's true. chuck schumer is doing everything he possibly can to pass an agenda infrastructure that democrats for eight years under obama said we love infrastructure. trump proposed it, they don't want to touch it. they want tax cuts and now they don't. they can't have it both ways. all these different things under obama and all of a sudden they oppose them. there is a lot there to refute. the american people are behind this. >> ed: look what former vice president joe biden said this

weekend about democrats. this is within the party itself. he basically said that you are not for the working people because of the negative campaign that president trump ran. he is blaming president trump to be clear. how much did we hear about that guy making $50,000 on an assembly line and the woman, his wife, making $28,000 as a hostess? they have $78,000, two kids. living in a metro area and can hardly make it. when was the last time you heard us talk about those people? jose. this is not a republican attacking your party. biden says all you're talking about, russia, russia, russia. joe biden says you aren't talking about the working people. >> we can always do better. we can always do better and what democrats just launched a tour. wealth owe go across the country and talk to the american people to find solutions to their problems. >> ed: jose and i went a few

times. what is your point. >> donald trump put forth an agenda to put people back to work and put this country first. he needs a congress to work with him. both parties. if the democratic leadership is more interested in playing petty politics than actually serving your constituents, they will see more and more election results like they did in november. middle america rejecting the party of the coastal elites. everyone watching this show -- >> ed: we made news this morning. jose wants to work with president trump this morning. >> heather: scary moment. a 10-year-old boy goes flying -- just flying right off a water slide skidding across the concrete. this happened at a waterpark in california. we're live in l.a. claudia, what can you tell us about the condition of the boy? is he doing okay? >> well, actually heather, good

morning. he is doing just fine which is pretty amazing given this boy landed on his back and slid several yards before getting to his feet and walking away. happened in the town of dublin in northern california. take another look. he had gone down the whole ride, a steep three story drop called the emerald plunge. he had his arms crossed over his chest when he flew out at the bottom. the flat area. it is supposed to slow riders down. not this time. he landed with a thud and skidded across wet concrete. he just suffered some bruises and scratches on his shoulder and said to be in good spirits, even smiling. this video shot by a local newspaper reporter covering the waterpark's opening day is a key piece of the investigation of what went wrong so it doesn't happen again on this ride or any others. >> heather: where does the investigation stand? >> a team of inspectors will be out there today from the city

and state as well as the water slide company that built the emerald plunge. the ride had been tested for several weeks and certified by the state of california. officials are looking how it was designed and changing rules for riders. >> we have a height restriction. we'll evaluate whether we need a weight restriction. we'll check the pressure of the flow of the water to make sure that it needs to stay constant. those could be contributing factors. we aren't sure. we need to take a better look at it. until we do we won't open the ride. >> along with that slide park official efs closed two others as well. three out of the six rides there not the kind of splash you want to make opening a $43 million waterpark on a holiday weekend. >> i'll stick to the slip and slide in the backyard. thank you, claudia. >> ed: a new york city police

officers may want to think about trading in his uniform for a basketball jersey. watch this? . >> you give me a dollar. thanks, thanks. >> ed: officer james making an epic shot from the sidewalk next to a bronx basketball court. spectators erupting in cheers as he drained it over the iron fence. if anyone in the knicks organization may find your shooting guard. the knicks need help now. he is still doing his duty. new york police officer putting his life on the line for al us. that's what we should focus on. >> heather: we should show more opportunities like that with officers interacting with kids and the community. a lot of them out there.

a federal judge just tossed a lawsuit against hillary clinton that was filed by the parents of two of the benghazi victims. tossed it out. our legal panel will talk about it up next. >> this is one of the things that on memorial day it means much, much more when you have lost a family member.

>> heather: hillary clinton off the hook. a federal judge dropping the lawsuit against her filed by the parents of two of the men who died in the benghazi attack. the judge says that hillary clinton did not defame their children but the parents disagree. >> defamation is an issue of fact which is to be decided by the jury. the judge decides issues of law. this should have been submitted to the jury. >> heather: let's bring our legal panel.

i'm joined by attorney jesse weber and kent zimmerman. thank you both for joining us today. so agree or disagree with the decision? kent, i'll start with you. >> you know, this is a tough case, heather. you've got these men serving bravely in benghazi. they lose their lives. their family, you want justice for their family. they bring this case but the unfortunate thing is based on the law the court finds that actually there isn't justice for the family in this case. the law says that hillary clinton may have suggested the family was mistaken but to have defamed them they would have had to call them a liar and put them in a bad light by making a false statement and the court found that she didn't do that. this will go up an appeal, though. it is not over yet. >> heather: a couple things involved. not only the defamation part of it but also clinton's use of a private email server. the family saying it caused their son's death as well

because it allowed terrorists access to sensitive information. >> absolutely. look, you know, you would think that after all the trouble that she has had with this email server and the benghazi scandal she would be liable for something. unfortunately under the law she was acting within the scope of her employment. as the secretary of state. the court ruled under the law she is actually immune from tort claims being brought against her. the united states government who becomes the defendant and that's really a big problem for the plaintiffs here to bring their suit under those claims. >> heather: kent, you mentioned the possibility of appeal. you just heard charles woods there at the beginning of the segment the father of tyrone woods, when he was speaking with "fox & friends" over the weekend he went on to say he, too, wasn't surprised by this ruling because the judge was appointed by the clintons. will that have any impact on what happens moving forward? >> i'd be surprised if it does. i see the argument that way and

see how it's easy to say politics intervened here. the law should get justice for these people. i think everybody wants justice for a family who has lost somebody under these circumstances. i think it will go up on appeal. there is a slight possibility it will get sent down and maybe retried in front of a jury. i would call that a slight possibility. >> heather: let's pause here and take a listen to patricia smith, the parent -- the mother of shaun smith and this was what she had to say speaking at the republican national convention. listen. >> i blame hillary clinton. when i saw hillary clinton at sean's ceremony days later she looked me squarely in the eye and told me a video was responsible.

since then, i have repeatedly asked hillary clinton to explain to me the real reason why my son is dead. i'm still waiting. >> heather: really rips at your heart strings when you listen to that and you know the pain these families are going through. but jesse, the court had to rule in terms of what was legally right and just, correct? >> right. the law i wish sometimes could watch up with common sense. here is the problem. kent was making a point earlier. with defamation what really hurt their case it couldn't show harm. how were you not able to obtain a job after this because of what you said? how is your reputation damaged in the community? how is your life affected in a way that would not have been if you didn't make those statements? moving forward if they appeal this case, if they refile it, really focus upon how you were hurt and you may see some success. >> heather: let's not forget four lives were lost in

benghazi. shaun smith and tyrone woods and two others. we remember all of them this memorial day. >> ed: moments from now president trump will arrive at arlington national cemetery. you see people gathered now. he will lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown and address our veterans. we'll take you there live as he addresses the entire nation as well. first we'll talk to members of the pga about their project to help veterans cope with post traumatic stress. how taking to the links is actually making a difference.

>> ed: president trump has now arrived at arlington national cemetery honoring the fallen men and women of our armed

forces with a wreath laying ceremony at the tomb of the unknown soldier at arlington. you can see these live pictures. always an incredible, incredible way to remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. we'll go there live as soon as the president starts to speak. as i mentioned, he is now on the grounds at arlington. vice president mike pence who had kicked off that bike event with some veterans and first responders a short time ago at the naval observatory has made his way over to arlington national cemetery. wealth -- we'll go there live in a moment and we want to honor the veterans who made it home and coping with post traumatic stress. thanks to the pga hope program making a big difference for those who have given so much to our country. chris nowak is the pga hope coordinator and veteran himself and ryan cannon is the senior

director of pga reach. a charitable foundation of the pga of america. tell us about how all this came together. >> pga reach is the charitable foundation for the pga of america. our mission is to enable access to our 28,000 men and women professionals around the country, 41 section offices and ultimately the game of golf. we pursue this mission with three areas of focus, youth, military and diversity and inclusion. the military side of the equation we're very, very fortunate that we get the opportunity to work with my good friend chris nowak. he is a marine and has a lot of personal experience in how golf can help our veterans. he leads that program on our behalf and this started a couple years ago. it continues to grow each and every year because it's really making a difference acknowledged helping. >> ed: i want to get a quick thought from chris and important to remember the veterans who do come home and coping with a lot of challenges as they come home in recent

years from iraq and afghanistan. chris, you are a marine and i'm a golfer some may say. are you having these guys on to talk golf? no, you're a marine and had the experience of coming home and how has golf helped you? >> golf has helped me as an escape and a way to treat my ptsd as well as my limb loss. if you've ever played the game of golf and i know your handicap. what we do is we try to give the veteran a moment in time. as you know when you're about to play golf and strike that golf ball, you can't be thinking about anything else. you can't be thinking about the trauma you experienced, the trauma you've witnessed and dealing with when you return home. >> ed: we see pictures and go back to arlington. we have some pictures of you playing golf. your swing looks pretty good. you and i have a mutual friend in mickey gallagher a golf pro. i'll run these pictures by him to tell us. we thank both of you for

joining us and talking about all this. because it certainly has made a difference. you can see on the left-hand side vice president mike pence is walking out. chris and ryan, thank you for joining us. going to bring in heather now as we get ready to go to this solemn ceremony. you see the vice president there. earlier today he was at the naval observatory honoring veterans who have come home. memorial day we have to make sure we take the proper time to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and tragically and sadly do not come home. he was also trying to honor the veterans who do come home and struggle with the transition of everyday life. >> heather: prior to that we were at a ceremony at the world war ii memorial there in washington, d.c. as well. arlington national cemetery some 624 acres and they've run out of room. they need more room because of the military members from the korean war, world war ii, those who continue to die and they

want to be at arlington as well. >> ed: it's remarkable as you see defense secretary mattis there. he did this interview with cbs news just yesterday where he talked about the prospect -- we underline the word prospect for war with north korea. it would be bloody, a massive battle we want to avoid. he made clear the trump administration wants to find diplomatic means to avoid war. obviously talking openly about the prospect for war, a nation right now. you talked to a gold star widow this morning talking about the forgotten war in afghanistan. it is still going on right now. we cannot forget that. there is the prospect for war in korea as well. >> heather: interesting the hear what the president has to say because this will be his first public comments following what most have said was a successful trip overseas. what will he say about the military today? >> ed: absolutely. his first memorial day as commander-in-chief.

this is something we see each year no matter who is president to take some time out from the political battles that are raging in washington right now and make sure we keep the focus on those men and women in uniform still serving but memorial day is mostly about those who have not come home. >> heather: the military overwhelmingly supported him during the election as well. >> ed: you know, you talk about the defense budget as well. one of those battles that is raging in washington the president in his weekly address over the weekend made clear he is going to stand firm on conviction that he talked about the promises he made in the campaign to make sure that we rebuild the u.s. military. the greatest military in the world but it has been strained in recent years, no doubt about it. >> heather: we want to keep it the best. some saying that's not enough funding. >> ed: sure. strained not just by wars in iraq and afghanistan but strained by those rescissions, those cuts, sequestration that really some in both parties say

has cr military in some key functions. you've talked about people talk about that and say this has really ham strung the military in some ways and we have to restore the funding that we saw from sequestration. >> heather: keep our military members safe when they're overseas and they are fighting these wars for us here at home because beyond all of those numbers when you start talking about the budget, there are people, there are men and women and there are their families at home here in the states wanting them to return home safely. >> ed: heather, you say it so well. this is not just a budget. not just numbers. this is a real people's lives. our fellow americans. there you see the commander-in-chief. president donald trump, his first memorial day. let's listen briefly to see what we can pick up the natural sound of this incredible event.

♪

♪ ♪