Obama: 'Our work is more urgent than ever, because this chapter of war is coming to an end' [View all]

[ProSense]

Obama: 'Our work is more urgent than ever, because this chapter of war is coming to an end'

by Laura Clawson

Speaking at Arlington National Cemetery on this Veterans Day, President Barack Obama honored Richard Overton, the oldest World War II veteran known to be living. But he also emphasized the future as much as the past, saying:

Our work is more urgent than ever, because this chapter of war is coming to an end. Soon, one of the first Marines to arrive in Afghanistan 12 years ago—Brigadier General Daniel Yoo—will lead his Camp Pendleton Marines as they become one of the last major groups of Marines to deploy in this war. And over the coming months, more of our troops will come home.This winter, our troop levels in Afghanistan will be down to 34,000. And by this time next year, the transition to Afghan-led security will be nearly complete. The longest war in American history will end.

That means, he stressed, not simply honoring the veterans created by the Iraq and Afghanistan wars with rhetoric, but "improving veterans’ health care, including mental health care so you can stay strong"; "helping our newest veterans and their families pursue their education under the Post-9/11 GI Bill"; and "demanding that the rights and dignity of every veteran are upheld, including by pushing for the Disabilities Treaty so that our disabled veterans enjoy the same opportunities to travel and work and study around the world as everybody else." Obama also stressed the work being done by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden on creating jobs and reducing unemployment for veterans.

Obama's speech was determinedly nonpartisan, but it's worth noting that the goals he laid out—health care, jobs, education—are a Democratic, not Republican, agenda.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/11/11/1254785/-Obama-Our-work-is-more-urgent-than-ever-because-this-chapter-of-war-is-coming-to-an-end

Transcript:

President Obama's remarks on Veterans Day, Arlington National Cemetery
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/11/11/1254781/-President-Obama-s-remarks-on-Veterans-Day-Arlington-National-Cemetery