[ playing taps ] ladies and gentlemen, the wreath ceremony is complete. The Memorial Day Service will begin shortly. Please move to your seats. So there watching that moment with president obama laying a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier there under a beautiful may blue sky in washington, d. C. , or outside of washington, d. C. , in arlington, virginia. A part of arlington known as section 60 has definitely been a place for most families. Military members who have lost their lives in service to our country over the last 15 years, most of whom have now been buried there in arlington. And today a lot of people think about memorial day as being a holiday weekend. Probably the beach or time off with family or maybe even a sale. But the real meaning of today deals with our military and those who have served and fought in service to our country. Joining me now is retired army colonel jack jacobs who was a recipient of the medal of honor for his heroism in vietnam. Steve clemons, and
Begins right now. From nbc news World Headquarters in new york, this is nbc nightly news with lester holt. Good evening. Im Thomas Roberts in for lester. Tonight cincinnati zoo officials are fielding fast and furious reactions over their judgment to kill the silverback named harambe as the best choice to save a child trapped in the gorilla enclosure. A viral video captured over the Holiday Weekend shows the scene after a 3yearold boy crawled and climbed into the exhibit ending up facetoface with a massive primate. And now theres even a public call asking for the toddlers parents to be held responsible in the animals death. Blake mccoy has the latest. Reporter tonight outrage over an incident at the cincinnati zoo when a 3yearold boy fell into the gorilla enclosure saturday. For ten agonizing minutes onlookers watched including the boys mother who cried out to him. Mommys right here. Reporter at one point the 420pound male silverback named harambe, grabbed the boys ankle and dragged him
In North Carolina . Reporter a gorgeous morning in hilton head, south carolina, but the past few days anything bulls. We were in charleston for several days and the rain came down beginning late saturday and continued all k e ed all day ye traveling from charleston who here year, speak stuck on i95 for hours, as it was closed all day as people detoured to get around the flood. So bonnie was just the beginning. We had wild weather across the country over the weekend. This morning, rescue crews in parts of the south continuing to search for those it swept away by the deadly flash floods over the weekend. We just hope it doesnt rise anymore. Reporter the Rushing Water envelopes cars and homes after recorddropping rain. The city of brenham, two People Killed by the flied inundated with more than 18 inches of rainfall within 48 hours. It doesnt take much water to cause injury. Reporter the floods in texases killing tleef ining at people. According to cnn affiliate kprc, the caption, all i w
Announcer this is nbc nightly news with lester holt reporting tonight from the middle east. Good evening from the air base in the united arab emirates. We returned just a few hours ago from a day in baghdad where secretary of defense, ash carter, who said 200plus americans will be deployed to iraq, and some additional firepower will likely join the fight in addition to these fighter jets based here that are part of the ongoing campaign. The breaking news from iraq and exclusive interview with the secretary in just a moment. But first, to the breaking news back home. A record flood emergency in houston. People are trapped in homes across the city, pulled from cars swallowed by flash flood. At least two are dead. Nbcs Janet Shamlian starts us off from houston and the major rescue operation there tonight. Reporter a flood for the ages. The nations fourth largest city at a standstill, submerged by as many as 16 inches of rain. I was not expecting that. Reporter major highways under water,
Commander in chief to lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown on memorial day. Each year, different from the last. Solemn duty, punk waited by appreciation and deep reflection. Here at arlington, sounds of combat have given way to silence of the hills. Hills covered in marble and the memory of more Fallen Heroes since his last visit here. In iraq, our fight against isil, three americans have given their life on our behalf. I ask you to remember their stories as well. Reporter stories of heroes like Master Sergeant josh wheeler who died in iraq leaving behind his wife and baby, david. He deployed 14 times, earned 11 bronze stars, four for valor. Last october, isil terrorists prepared to execute 70 hostages. Josh, fellow special went in to rescue them. They went free. Reporter Iraqi Security forces are engaging the terror group in fighting tonight. In an attempt to regain control of fallujah. Its a hot spot with stronghold in syria, iraq and afghanistan. Now, some 5500 americans are in i