Trump speaks at military cemetery without umbrella in soaking rain

“This is certainly the highlight of the trip,” Trump said, after putting down his umbrella to speak.

The few reporters who chose to attend huddled under umbrellas, with ponchos over their computers. Many others chose to remain at a hotel press filing center.

At one point during his 10-minute speech, Trump made light of the driving rain in a cool 55 degrees Fahrenheit, telling one guest under an overhang, “You look so comfortable up there under shelter as we are getting drenched.”

Trump spoke after taking heavy criticism for canceling a visit Saturday to another military cemetery farther from Paris.

The Saturday event was canceled because rain made helicopter transport more hazardous and security more difficult along a long driving route.

Trump delivered a Veterans Day speech Sunday, focusing specifically on World War I history and the legacy of that war’s American troops, more than 1,000 of whom are buried at Suresnes. Sunday marks the centennial of the war’s end.

“It is our duty to preserve the civilization they defended and to protect the peace they so nobly gave their lives to secure one century ago,” Trump said.