President Obama highlighted the near end to "America's longest war" in Afghanistan but warned the country to never forget its "sacred obligations" to those returning home in uniform, in his Veterans Day address at Arlington National Cemetery.
Thanking those in the 9/11 generation for serving "tour after tour after tour" abroad, the President praised the newest group veterans for bringing "the core of al Qaeda ... on the path to defeat" but reminded the nation that the duty to veterans should remain a top priority - just weeks after lawmakers were slammed for allowing military death benefits to lag during the government shutdown.With the blazing sun shining on the gathered guests Monday in Virginia, the President celebrated the near conclusion of the 12-year-old Operation Enduring Freedom - though a small band of U.S. troops, estimates suggest fewer than 10,000, will remain in Afghanistan after the end of the year.
"Even though this time of war is coming to a close, our time of service to our newest veterans has only just begun," the President said.At Monday's ceremony, Obama also marked the 60th anniversary of the end of the Korean War and paid tribute to 107-year-old Richard Overton, among the oldest living veterans who served in World War II.
"This is the life of one American veteran, living proud and strong in the land he helped keep free," Obama said of Overton, who received a standing ovation.
First Lady Michelle Obama, dressed in a long black coat, joined her husband for the remembrance ceremony as did the Bidens and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.
Before the event at Arlington, the Obamas hosted a group of veterans, including Overton, for a White House breakfast.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/obama-honors-veterans-america-longest-war-article-1.1513200#ixzz2kOxNB6hK
Monday, November 11, 2013
Obama Honors Veterans At Arlington National Cemetery
President Obama highlighted the near end to "America's longest war" in Afghanistan but warned the country to never forget its "sacred obligations" to those returning home in uniform, in his Veterans Day address at Arlington National Cemetery.
Thanking those in the 9/11 generation for serving "tour after tour after tour" abroad, the President praised the newest group veterans for bringing "the core of al Qaeda ... on the path to defeat" but reminded the nation that the duty to veterans should remain a top priority - just weeks after lawmakers were slammed for allowing military death benefits to lag during the government shutdown.With the blazing sun shining on the gathered guests Monday in Virginia, the President celebrated the near conclusion of the 12-year-old Operation Enduring Freedom - though a small band of U.S. troops, estimates suggest fewer than 10,000, will remain in Afghanistan after the end of the year.
"Even though this time of war is coming to a close, our time of service to our newest veterans has only just begun," the President said.At Monday's ceremony, Obama also marked the 60th anniversary of the end of the Korean War and paid tribute to 107-year-old Richard Overton, among the oldest living veterans who served in World War II.
"This is the life of one American veteran, living proud and strong in the land he helped keep free," Obama said of Overton, who received a standing ovation.
First Lady Michelle Obama, dressed in a long black coat, joined her husband for the remembrance ceremony as did the Bidens and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.
Before the event at Arlington, the Obamas hosted a group of veterans, including Overton, for a White House breakfast.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/obama-honors-veterans-america-longest-war-article-1.1513200#ixzz2kOxNB6hK
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