President Obama was in Atlanta today, for two good spirited events. More under the cut.
The first was a speech at the national convention of Disabled American Veterans, where he received a warm welcome by veterans who already know by now: It's DEMOCRATS who really cares about them. The very moving speech included the story about DAV's Commander Roberto Barrera, coming to the White House with a baseball bat. It turns out it was a thank you gift for the president for "going to bat for our veterans".
The president went on to recount some of the many times his administration went to bat for the veterans: That includes the largest percentage increases to the VA budget in the past 30 years; help for 200,000 Vietnam vets who may have been exposed to Agent Orange, as well as help for Gulf War vets with specific infectious diseases; eliminating co-pays for catastrophically disabled veterans; increased funding for veterans' health care across the board; eliminating delays both in the funding for medical care and the claims process; pooling the wisdom of VA employees to help cut through red tape; and an ongoing fight to end homelessness amongst veterans, which has already seen significant progress. The crowd was so happy, someone actually shouted 'Hallelujah'.
The president also used this speech to mark the coming end of the combat mission in Iraq. The WH has released a fact sheet detailing this drawdown:
"Let me say this as plainly as I can: by August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end."
- President Barack Obama, Camp Lejeune, February 27, 2009
Troops and Change of Mission
When President Obama took office in January 2009, there were 144,000 U.S. troops in Iraq. At his Camp Lejeune speech on February 27, 2009, President Obama announced that the United States would end its combat mission on August 31, 2010, and retain a transitional force of up to 50,000 U.S. troops to train and advise Iraqi Security Forces; conduct partnered and targeted counter-terrorism operations; and protect ongoing U.S. civilian and military efforts.
- By January 2010, there were 112,000 U.S. troops in Iraq. By the end of May 2010, that number had been reduced to 88,000. General Odierno made the decision in May 2010 that positive developments in the security sector permitted the drawdown to go forward as planned. The final tranche of the drawdown to reach the President’s commitment to end combat operations began in earnest in June 2010. By the end of August 2010, the number of U.S. troops in Iraq will be further reduced to 50,000. On August 31, Operation Iraqi Freedom will end. The transitional mission will be called Operation New Dawn. Consistent with our agreements with the Iraqi government, all U.S. troops are scheduled to leave Iraq by the end of 2011.
Equipment
By the end of August 2010, U.S. Forces in Iraq will reduce the total number of equipment in Iraq from 3.4 million pieces in January 2009 to a total of 1.2 million pieces, which are required to support the remaining troops which will be organized six Advise and Assist Brigades plus enablers. Lieutenant General William Webster, who commands the Third Army and is overseeing the drawdown, said "This is the largest operation, that we’ve been able to determine, since the build-up for World War II."
Bases
As part of the drawdown in Iraq, U.S. forces are also closing or transferring military bases in Iraq.
- In June 2009, U.S. Forces occupied 357 bases. U.S. Forces currently occupy 121 bases, and are expected to reduce that number to 94 bases by the end of August.
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The other event was a DNC fundraiser. This video is not embeddable, but you really want to see it. It's on these events where he leaves the "president" outside and really go for the kill. This was no exception. You'll have fun:
"They drove us to the ditch, we're not going back there"
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All these by AP:
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President Obama addresses the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) 89th National Convention in Atlanta, Ga., DAV National Commander Roberto Barrera listens at left, August 2, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
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Leaving the White House today:
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And with Sasha at the Washington Mystics-Tulsa Shock game on Sunday.
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