Obama honors veterans at Chicago memorial

CHICAGO, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- U.S. President-elect Barack Obama placed a wreath at Chicago's Soldier Field Tuesday, paying his respects on Veterans Day.

He was joined at the bronze memorial outside the stadium by Tammy Duckworth, the Illinois Veterans' Affairs director, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Obama and Duckworth, an Iraqi war veteran who lost both of her legs in a helicopter crash, together carried a wreath to the monument.

Obama's trip to the outdoor memorial was unannounced and security was heavy as he and Duckworth paused with heads bowed after placing the wreath.