'I hope for you to come back soon, daddy': The heartbreaking scene at one Marine's grave on Memorial Day during visit by son, four, who was a baby when he died
- Christian Jacobs, 4, visited his father's tombstone with his mother, Brittany Jacobs, of Hertford, North Carolina
- Sgt Christopher James Jacobs died in a training accident in 2011, when Christian was just eight months old
- Christian Jacobs wore a replica Marine Corps Dress Blue uniform with his father's medals pinned to his chest
- Across America, people are holding memorials for U.S. troops this weekend
- President Barack Obama joined U.S. troops at Arlington National Cemetery for a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown soldier
- As part of Memorial Day services, flowers and flags were places on rows and rows of graves across the cemetery in Arlington, Virginia
- As Obama gave a speech thanking military members and their families, Bill and Hillary Clinton walked in their hometown parade in New Castle, New York
He's wearing the full formal Dress Blue uniform of a Marine Corps sergeant, and he has medals for service in Iraq and Afghanistan pinned to his chest.
But Christian Jacobs is not a Marine. He's just four years old, standing at the grave of his father, Sgt Christopher James Jacob, on the day when America remembers its fallen heroes.
Christian Jacobs and his mother, Brittany Jacobs, visited the grave of Sgt Christopher James Jacobs, who served one tour in Afghanistan and one in Iraq, in Arlington National Cemetery on Monday.
For Memorial Day Commemorations, they came bearing flowers, cards and photographs, and Christian had lain on the ground next to his father's tombstone, at section 60 of the cemetery.
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Christian Jacobs, 4, lies besides the tomb of his father at section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery, outside Washington D.C. on Memorial Day
Christian Jacobs, four, of Hertford, North Carolina stands next to the headstone of his father, Marine Sgt. Christopher Jacobs
Brittany Jacobs of Hertford, North Carolina and her son, Christian sit at the headstone of her husband, Sgt Christopher Jacobs
Christian Jacobs walks with his mother, Brittany, during memorial services at Arlington National Cemetery. He wore a replica Marine Corps Dress Blue uniform with his father's medals pinned to his chest
Christian Jacobs (left) stands besides the tomb of his father Christopher Jacobs (pictured right) at section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery
Christian Jacobs hugs the headstone of his father U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Christopher Jacobs as mother Brittany, wipes away a tear in Arlington National Cemetery
'I hope for you to come back soon, daddy. And I love you and hope for you to be here. I know you will be here and I love you. And he is always watching over me and makes sure - he's proud of me, daddy. And I love you daddy,' Christian said.
Sgt. Jacobs died in 2011 in a training accident a Marine base in Twentynine Palms, California, when Christian was just eight months old.
'He wants to know so much about his father. He likes coming here and he was excited about coming here. He said I get to go see my daddy, Brittany Jacobs told WBRC.
She added: 'My daddy's resting place is what he calls it so he was looking forward to coming out here. When he got here the first thing he did was run up and hug the stone, he didn't want to leave it.'
Jacobs had enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2000, according to the Marine Times. During his time in the military, he received several awards including the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Iraqi Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.
Just hours before his death, he texted his wife Brittany Jacobs telling her that he had slept well the night before.
Sgt. Jacobs died in 2011 when Christian was just eight months old. He had been on several tours to Afghanistan and Iraq
Sgt Christopher Jacobs's headstone is adorned with flowers and photos on Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day
President Barack Obama took part in the wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Solder at Arlington National Cemetery
PPresident Barack Obama, accompanied by Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, left, Commander of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington, and the with the aid of Sgt. 1st Class John C. Wirth, lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, on Memorial Dayresident Barack Obama took part in the wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Solder at Arlington National Cemetery
As part of the annual Memorial Day services at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, a wreath is laid on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
U.S. President Barack Obama and U.S. Army Military District of Washington Commanding General Jeffrey Buchanan participate in the wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
President Barack Obama arrives to participate in the wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns
'I love you guys,' he sent as his last words to wife and young son.
'We love you too, baby,' replied his wife. Since his death, Brittany Jacobs has taken her son to visit her husband's grave in Arlington National Cemetery.
This year Christian Jacobs wore a replica Marine Corps Dress Blue uniform with his father's medals pinned to his chest as he and his mother made their way to the tombstone at section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery.
Thousands of people gathered at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday to commemorate the lives of fallen military men and women.
As part of Memorial Day services, flowers and flags were places on rows and rows of graves as loving friends and families remember those who have died.
President Barack Obama joined the families at the cemetery to take place in the annual wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Army General Martin Dempsey (left) and U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter (right) stand for the arrival of President Barack Obama
Obama spoke in front of thousands at the Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Day Service, thanking those who have served and those who continue to serve, as well as their family
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Army General Martin Dempsey and U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter both spoke at the ceremony
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Army General Martin Dempsey (left), U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter (center) and U.S. President Barack Obama attend a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery
President Barack Obama, accompanied by Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey, waves as he introduced before speaking in the Memorial Amphitheater
President Barack Obama speaks in the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington on Monday
Obama greeting 107-year-old World War II retired Army Lt Col Luta May Cornelius McGrath following his speech
He then gave a speech in front of the crowd at Arlington National Cemetery.
'Honor, courage, selflessness, those values lived in the hearts of everyday heroes who fought for us in every American war,' he said.
He continued: 'This is not only a resting ground for national heroes, but it's a reflection of America itself.
'It is a reflection of our character, seen not only those who are buried here but in the caretakers who watch over them.'
Obama said that 'a grateful nation' thanks these fallen men and women.
He said: 'Most Americans don't fully see, don't fully understand, the sacrifice made by the one per cent who serve in the military.
'Few know what it's like to take a bullet for a buddy, or knowing that he or she took one for you.
'But our gold star families, our military families, our veterans, know this. I see that their hearts are still broken, but still so full of love.'
A member of the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment 'The Old Guard' stands at attention during the arrival of President Barack Obama's motorcade
Tom Nicholson of Gretna, Nebraska, visits graves, all marked with American Flags, at Arlington National Ceremony
Ray Orphan, left, followed by Michael Worcester, holds a tradition Chickasaw Nation Eagle Staff, as part of the Chickasaw Nation Honor Guard ahead of a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery
President Barack Obama rides in his limousine as he departs the White House in Washington on Monday, heading toward Arlington National Cemetery
White House photographer Pete Souza posted a picture of the view from inside the motorcade of the rows of graves at Arlington National Cemetery
Obama spoke in front of thousands at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday as part of the landmark's Memorial Day services
He said that troops will continue to be brought home, but 'Afghanistan is still a very dangerous place'.
He finished his speech by again thanking the U.S. military men and women - both still serving and those who have fallen - as well as their families.
'They are why our nation endures. It is a debt we can never fully repay, but it is a debt we will never stop trying to fully repay,' Obama said.
He continued: 'We are so grateful for them. We are so grateful for the families of our fallen. May God bless our fallen and those who continue to serve.'
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Army General Martin Dempsey and U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter both spoke at the ceremony.
As the nation's leaders spoke in the Memorial Amphitheater, people visited graves across the cemetery.
While Obama spoke in the nation's capital, former President Bill Clinton and leading Democratic 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton marched in a Memorial Day parade in New Castle, New York.
Peter Warigi, 40, of Kenya, visits the grave of his brother SSGT Anthony Warigi at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington
On Memoral Day, friends and relatives visit the graves of the fallen at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington
Madelyn Andrews, of Woodland Hills, Calif., walks past military graves while placing flags at headstones in remembrance of Memorial Day
Hillary Clinton marched in a Memorial Day parade in New Castle, New York alongside her husband, Bill
During their hometown parade, chants of 'Hillary 2016' could be heard along the route as thousands came out to see the couple
'With respect and gratitude for fallen service members and their families,' wrote Hillary on twitter Monday
During their hometown parade, chants of 'Hillary 2016' could be heard along the route, according to the Journal News.
Thousands of people came out to catch a view of the Clintons, who waved to their supporters. Hillary Clinton even stopped to take selfies with a few middle school boys.
Clinton wrote on Twitter Monday; 'With respect and gratitude for fallen service members and their families.'
Across the United States people are holding memorials for U.S. troops. And in a video on Memorial Day commemorations, he shared his thoughts on the day.
'We cannot bring them back, nor can we ease the pain of their families and friends who live with their loss,' he said. 'But we are the Americans they died to defend. So what we can do - what we must do - is fulfill our sacred obligations to them, just like they fulfilled theirs to us.'
One North Carolina teacher shared a picture of a little boy holding a salute for ten minutes with tears streaming down his face as she showed the class a video about the meaning of Memorial Day.
Sandra Bacchus of Coram, New York, second from right, and others, attends a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on Monday
Sandra Bacchus of Coram, New York, second from right, and others, attends a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on Monday
Army Staff Sgt. Earl Granville of Arlington, Va., second from left, and former Army Spc. Jessica Red of Orlando, Fla., left, rest together in the grass outside Arlington National Cemetery
People sit under umbrellas with the United States flag during Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington
Alivin Amezquita is comforted by his wife Erika and daughter Myra as he visits the grave of a friend at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington
The teacher captured the boy's reaction to the video during a mini lesson on the national holiday.
Emily Fontana, who teaches first grade, posted the picture on The Ellen DeGeneres Show's Facebook page and it quickly went viral.
'Not only am I a daughter of an amazing Veteran, but I am a teacher for an elementary school in Charlotte, NC. I teach 1st grade and love my kids more than anything,' she wrote in the caption of the photo.
She continued: 'I had to take this picture because I was lost for words. This little special angel sat saluting the screen for the entire 10 min while tears rolled down his face.
'I will remember this day for a long long time. It shows how small a child can be and have one of the biggesssttttt hearts I have ever witnessed.'
World War II U.S. Army Veteran Leroy Williams, 90, of Albany, New York, and originally from Scranton, Pennsylvania, relaxes before the start of a Memorial Day service at Nay Aug Park in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He is the longest member of VFW Post #25 in Scranton
WWII Veteran and D-Day survivor Frederick Carrier takes notes during a Memorial Day ceremony at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Manhattan
Vietnam Veteran David J. Wenzel, who served in the U.S. Army and was severely wounded in combat, bows his head in a prayer during a Memorial Day Service at Cathedral Cemetery in Scranton
Members of Gold Star Wives lay a wreath during the Annual Memorial Day Observance ceremony on Monday
An Armed Forces Color Guard arrive for the the Annual Memorial Day Observance ceremony on Monday
Participants bow their heads in prayer during the Annual Memorial Day Observance before a ceremony at Vietnam Veterans Memorial, in Washington on Monday
On Monday, the National Memorial Day parade kicks off in Washington DC at 2pm. Hundreds of other parades will be taking place locally across the United States.
And though the national holiday is marked on Monday, many memorials already took place during the weekend.
Hundreds of thousands of bikers and spectators gathered on Sunday in Washington DC for the Rolling Thunder 'Ride for Freedom.'
The event got its start in 1988 and it honors military veterans and members of the military missing in action.
Navy veteran William Englert passes out U.S. flags to the crowd attending Memorial Day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery
Iraq War veteran, Ret. Pvt. Rocky Bishop, left, walks through Georgia National Cemetery with his daughter Cyndney, 6, while visiting the grave of his grandfather, Korean War veteran James Bishop, on Memorial Day
Iraq War veteran, retired Pvt. Rocky Bishop stands with his daughters Cyndney, 6, and Hannah, 4, as they visit his father's grave at Georgia National Cemetery
Vickie Hunt touches the tombstone of her late husband, Vietnam veteran U.S. Marine Cpl. Timothy Hunt, at Georgia National Cemetery
'I come every Memorial Day,' says Hunt of visiting her husband's grave. 'As soon as I go through the gates here it brings me a sense of peace.'
Lucille Williams walks through Georgia National Cemetery while visiting the grave of her late husband, Korean War veteran Sgt. 1st Class Alvin Williams
Bikers rallied at the Pentagon all morning, then crossed the Memorial Bridge at noon and cruise around the National Mall.
In Michigan, relatives gathered at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly on Sunday to pay tribute to their loved ones.
The ceremony included a rifle salute, presentations and speeches for those who fought for freedom.
North of Holly in Bay City, Boy Scouts of American and an honor guard took part in a service to honor those in the military.
And across the world in Kabul, Afghanistan, U.S. troops gathered to commemorate the honorable day and remember their fellow servicemen and servicewomen.
At the American Military Cemetery in San Casciano, near Florence, Italy, veterans came together for a service as well.
Figurines of a man and a woman lay on the grave of WWII veteran Pvt. Joel Greeson Sr., at Georgia National Cemetery on Memorial Day
Jonathan Hunt visits the grave of his father, Vietnam veteran Cpt. Harvey Hunt, at Georgia National Cemetery
A boy in Emily Fontana's first grade class held a salute for ten minutes as his teacher showed a video about the meaning of Memorial Day
Army veteran Bernie Klemanek, of Mineral, Virginia, stops to salute his fallen comrades on Memorial Day during an early morning visit to 'The Wall' at the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington DC, on Monday
General John F. Campbell, commander of international forces in Afghanistan, second right, gives respect during a ceremony marking Memorial Day at the Resolute Support main headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan
Over 2,300 American soldiers and more than 11,00 coalition soldiers have lost their lives in action during the last 14 years in Afghanistan
Deandra Christiansen, 16, was among hundreds of relatives who gathered at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Michigan on Sunday to pay tribute to their loved ones.
The ceremony, which included a rifle salute, presentations and speeches for those who fought for freedom, came one day ahead of Memorial Day.
Deandra, a high school student in Michigan, wore a blue striped top and what appeared to be a cross around her neck as she remembered her father.
Mr Christiansen, who died on April 7, 2013, was a veteran of the U.S. Army who fought in war-torn Iraq and also served in the Army National Guard.
According to his son, Phillip, he developed post-traumatic stress disorder after returning home from his service - something he never recovered from.
Last month, Phillip, who is studying Criminal Justice at Oakland Community College in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, wrote on Facebook: '2 years ago, I was given news that changed my life forever. 2 years ago I lost my hero, the man who gave me the foundation to become a great man like him.
'But... 2 years ago my dad was free from the pain and turmoil that PTSD brings. 2 years ago my dad no longer had to reach the end of a bottle to stop the demons he faced from tormenting him again. 2 years ago God took my dad with him, so that he would be totally, and completely healed.'
Another grief-stricken relative who paid tribute to their father at the cemetery in Holly on Sunday was Anthony Kucharski, from Royal Oak, Michigan.
The 33-year-old, a former student at Jardon Vocational School, was pictured kissing Ronald Kucharski's grave, before whispering: 'I love you, daddy.
Mr Kucharski, who passed away aged 68 on October 5, 2013, served in the Vietnam War. His widow, Colleen, accompanied their son to the cemetery.
Deandra Christiansen, 16, cries at the gravestone of her father, Eric Christiansen, following a Memorial Day service at the Great Lakes National Cemetery
Anthony Kucharski, 33, of Royal Oak, Mich., kisses the grave stone of his father, Ronald W. Kucharski, a Vietnam veteran who passed away on Oct. 5, 2013
Marion Portuesi is consoled by her husband David Portuesi while visiting the grave of her parents before a Memorial Day service at the Great Lakes National Cemetery
Amber Hackett, 79, visits the gravestone of her late husband, Dennis Hackett Jr., with her family
Amber Hackett, 79, whose D-Day veteran husband Dennis Hackett Jr, 82, died last year, also attended the emotional memorial service on Sunday.
With one hand clutching a walking stick and the other resting on her life partner's grave, she looked visibly upset as she paid tribute to the veteran.
Mr Hackett, who lived in Detroit and passed away on October 20, 2014, was apparently a keen bowler who 'loved spending time with his grandchildren'.
His grave was decorated with a blue star-shaped balloon and flowers for the special ceremony - as well as an American flag, like all of the graves.
Another veteran's grave featured a flag with the handwritten words: 'Daddy - I miss you every day. I love you. Your new grandchildren love you too.'
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