PAINESVILLE, Ohio — Mitt Romney began his rally here on Friday afternoon by calling for a moment of silence for the four Americans who were killed in the attack on the American Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, on Tuesday.

Mr. Romney, who was scheduled to take the stage as President Obama was at Joint Base Andrews for a ceremony honoring the dead, told the crowd that he had delayed his event slightly out of respect.

“I also want you to know that in the last few moments the bodies of four individuals who were killed in the service of our nation were brought back to the United States and welcomed home, and placed in hearses,” Mr. Romney said. “I wanted to make sure to have my hand over my heart in recognition of these men and women.”

Mr. Romney, who made a point of mentioning each individual by name, also called for a moment of silence. (He had tried to take a similar moment on Wednesday in Virginia but was unable to because of a protester who accused him of politicizing the situation in Libya.)

“Whether, on a day like this, where the sky seems to be crying as well,” Mr. Romney said, speaking under a gray and rainy sky, “or whether on a beautiful and sunny day, we remember those who serve and provide us with the liberty we enjoy, and the prosperity and the freedoms that are so much a part of the American experience.”

After his initial remarks, Mr. Romney did not return to the turmoil in the Middle East, instead attacking Mr. Obama briefly in general terms on foreign policy.

“I understand how important it is for America to be strong,” he said. “I know what we have to do in terms of growing our principles and values, growing our economy and making sure our military is second to none. I will not cut the American military.”