Obama honors veterans, promises benefits
On this Veterans Day, President Obama participated in ceremonies honoring all Americans who have donned a military uniform, touted the end of two wars and promised benefits for service members once they return.
"This is the first Veterans Day in a decade in which there are no American troops fighting and dying in Iraq," Mr. Obama said after laying a wreath at the Cemetery. "Thirty-three thousand of our troops have now returned from Afghanistan, and the transition there is underway."
Mr. Obama acknowledged that more than a million service members will have served in the two wars and will be transitioning away from the military and into civilian life. He recounted a promise he made on the campaign trail and during his first term: to provide benefits and help for veterans.
"I promised your generation that when your tour comes to an end, when you see our flag, when you touch our soil, you'll be welcomed home to an America that will forever fight for you, just as hard as you've fought for us," he said.
"[N]o one who fights for this country overseas should ever have to fight for a job, or a roof over their head, or the care that they have earned when they come home," Mr. Obama added. He promoted a program led by Michelle Obama and Jill Biden where 125,000 veterans have been hired by private businesses. He also touted the post-9/11 G.I. bill that provides financial assistance for veterans' higher education.
He said his administration is working to clear the backlog of disability benefits and treatments. "No veteran should have to wait months or years for the benefits that you've earned, so we will continue to attack the claims backlog. We won't let up. We will not let up," he said.
Mr. Obama offered his praise of current and past service members and their families. "I've often said the most humbling part of my job is serving as Commander-in-Chief," he said.
After the official ceremony ended, Mr. and Mrs. Obama stopped at the section of the cemetery, section 60, where service members killed in Iraq and Afghanistan have been laid to rest.
Obama pays tribute on Veterans Day
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Oh, and I'm a Veteran who likes him quite a bit, myself. I think you need to crawl back under your rock.
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/hr2052
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/11/07/60minutes/main528581.shtml
http://www.epa.gov/region4/superfund/sites/npl/alabama/anpcbstal.html
To help Ft McClellan veterans who were stationed at Ft McClellan, Alabama and who were exposed to toxic chemicals without their knowledge. These Ft McClellan veterans are currently very sick, many have already died and are now dying because of exposure to toxic chemicals while at Ft McClellan.
HR 2052 Ft McClellan Health Registry Act is currently in legislation in Congress and is stalled in committees. We need to move it out of committees and onto the House floor for a vote. We, Ft McClellan veterans, need this bill. We did not know that we were being exposed to toxic chemicals while at Ft McClellan, Alabama.
We need HR 2052 Ft McClellan Health Registry Act to be moved out of committees and onto the House floor for a vote now! This bill is deliberately being stalled in Congress.
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/hr2052
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/11/07/60minutes/main528581.shtml
http://www.epa.gov/region4/superfund/sites/npl/alabama/anpcbstal.html
To help Ft McClellan veterans who were stationed at Ft McClellan, Alabama and who were exposed to toxic chemicals without their knowledge. These Ft McClellan veterans are currently very sick, many have already died and are now dying because of exposure to toxic chemicals while at Ft McClellan.
HR 2052 Ft McClellan Health Registry Act is currently in legislation in Congress and is stalled in committees. We need to move it out of committees and onto the House floor for a vote. We, Ft McClellan veterans, need this bill. We did not know that we were being exposed to toxic chemicals while at Ft McClellan, Alabama.
We need HR 2052 Ft McClellan Health Registry Act to be moved out of committees and onto the House floor for a vote now! This bill is deliberately being stalled in Congress.
Some lost their lives, some are sill living with and suffering from injuries, sacrifices of their families (young and old), and this is the snotty comment you have? Someone should kick your A..out of America. I am sure you paid your taxes, just like Romney at the rate of 9% or less. You are probably claiming horses, and not dependent children, as well. However, those few dimes you gave are sitting there in your SS funds waiting for you. Unlike a lot of vets who lost their lives, they won't be around to claim theirs, and by the way, they pay taxes too you greedy, selfish, hateful, monster.
Such a pity you dodged the draft, just like your buddy Romney....cause it would be nice if you were forced to go to the military; It would be even nicer if you were placed on the very front line.
How dare you make a comment like this, you thankless, arrogant, hateful snob.
The US was attacked by Libya through surrogates in the 80's, Somalia was a UN sanctioned mission, Qatar is an ally ( so I haven't a clue what your are getting on about). Yemen has for the past 40 years been a hot bed of insurgency and terrorism that has affected US one way or another.
Besides ... it the politicians who you guys (read clowns) elect that send us overseas to fight. We just volunteer to serve the national interests.