i, too was disappointed that obama would not be laying the wreath at arlington - especially because he did not participate in the memorial day services there this year - since he was in chicago.
but
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/memorialday.asp outlines how many times the presidents as far back as reagan did not participate in those ceremonies - a shame!
my sincere thanx to those who served to keep our country free.