Update with video
Dept. of Kentucky in the Patriotic Parade at the 2011 National Convention in Minneapolis. Tom Strattman
President Obama to Address Concerns of Veterans
(ABC 6 NEWS) — Veterans from all over the country will be in Minneapolis Tuesday for the 93rd American Legion National Convention, and they will hear remarks from the President.
But weeks after one of the single deadliest attacks on U.S. troops in Afghanistan and with suicide rates among armed forces at an all time high we wanted to know what’s the sentiment among vets towards the president.
Dan Stewart is busy spending his summer mowing lawns for St. Edward’s church in Austin, but it has taken a long time to get there.
“I was injured in Fallujah, Iraq on August 4th, 2005 and then the rest of that time was spent basically in and out of hospitals recovering and getting all my surgeries done,” said retired marine corporal, Dan Stewart.
Stewart and his unit were hit by three roadside IED’s while patrolling the area. Stewart received severe injuries to his head and nearly didn’t make it.
He was taken to three hospitals before one would take him in, saying he was basically a casualty.
“It is so horrible, once you just keep recovering and recovering and learning how to do day to day things yourself,” said Stewart.
While he was recovering at the VA hospital, the U.S. Government helped put a down payment on his home, provided housing for his Aunt and made the home more accessible.
Stewart said, “I had some work to make my home more adapted to my handicaps or my disabilities. They have just helped in so many ways I can’t even name them all.”
President Obama will now come to Minneapolis to address concerns veterans and their families may have regarding assistance after service.
It’s something that has been somewhat of a sore spot in the past but Stewart says he hasn’t seen that.
“People now actually take into consideration the sacrifice they made for the country and just show so much compassion and caring for what they gave for their country,” added Stewart.
You can read all about the American Legion here.
It is a moral obligation to take care of our veterans. PBO’s budget has increased benefits by 30%.
21st Veterans Administration; now that’s what we’re talin’ ’bout.
VP Biden will speak on clean energy audio only, so stay linked in.
Go ahead and speak on taking out Osama Bin Laden. Give credit to our men in uniform.
PBO is speaking on troops who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.