Meanwhile, the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is coming under criticism for significantly undercounting the number of U.S. war dead. General Peter Pace was interviewed by CBS News on Memorial Day.

Gen. Peter Pace: “When you take a look at the life of a nation and all that’s required to keep us free, we had more than 3,000 Americans murdered on 11 September, 2001. The number who have died, sacrificed themselves since that time is approaching that number. And we should pay great respect and thanks to them for allowing us to live free.”

As General Pace spoke, the U.S. toll had reached at least 3,455. Just under 3,000 people were killed in the 9/11 attacks.