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    Commander in Chief thanks military, addresses veterans issues during visit

    President visits Fort Lee

    Photo By Terrance Bell | Community members share photos of the president's visit Sept. 28. President Barack...... read more read more

    UNITED STATES

    09.29.2016

    Courtesy Story

    Fort Gregg-Adams

    FORT LEE, Va. (Sept. 29, 2016) -- President Barack Obama traveled to Fort Lee Wednesday to thank troops and their families serving at the installation for their patriotism and sacrifice, and to meet with military community members, including numerous combat veterans, during a CNN-hosted town hall.

    The president arrived via Marine One at approximately 2 p.m. and was transported to the site of the CNN recording session inside one of the post fitness centers. There, he answered a wide variety of questions posed by members of the military-affiliated audience and CNN moderator Jake Tapper.

    Donna Coates, wife of deceased veteran Barry Coates who helped bring the plight of veteran health care to light and testified in front of Congress, asked the president why there had been a lot of promises to fix the VA, but seemingly little has been done.

    “My heart goes out to you,” said Obama. “I heard the testimony. There have been significant problems in Veterans Affairs. What we saw in South Carolina and Phoenix are inexcusable. But it’s a sign of a system that is overwhelmed.

    “We have made improvements, but it’s not enough,” he continued. “Since coming into office, we increased the VA budget by more than 85 percent. No other president has done that. But it’s not enough to just send more funding. We have to work the antiquated systems. I don’t want you to think we aren’t taking this seriously. We are resourcing it and we have initiated changes.”

    While responding to a question about credentialing and job transition opportunities for military members and their spouses, the President expressed pride in a program – Joining Forces – his wife, Michelle, and Dr. Jill Biden, the vice president’s wife, have been part of for most of the past eight years.

    “It has helped more than 1.2 million military and their spouses get training, employment opportunities and benefits from the private sector,” he said. “Even if you (Americans) aren’t serving in the military, you can serve in some effect (with this program). Your company can hire more vets. Your community can do more to actively provide services to veterans. You can volunteer to help wounded warriors get back on their feet.”

    The president also told the assembled audience he recognizes the true sacrifice of those who serve in the military and the misunderstanding it causes with issues associated with national security.

    “We have the best all-volunteer force, but with only one percent of the population joining, you start getting a professional warrior class,” said Obama. “You get more people who will show support and honor veterans on Veterans Day, but they don’t have a real stake. It’s easy for them to say we should just send in more troops. I would like to see more of our young men and women serve, including those in populations who are underrepresented; even those in higher income brackets.”

    At-length discussions about Syria, ISIS, women in the military and more also were covered at the session. The town hall aired nationally at 9 p.m. Wednesday. It is still available for viewing at cnn.com.

    The president’s Fort Lee tour continued at a hangar facility operated by the 345th Air Force Training Squadron. Addressing an audience of 400 community members, Obama thanked them for their service and said he appreciated the community’s hospitality during his visit. He also spoke about Fort Lee’s significant mission.

    “At this post, you are part a tradition of service that stretches back nearly 100 years,” he said. “Doughboys marched off to World War I from this facility. You trained our Soldiers for World War II, Korea, Vietnam and every conflict since. So as you prepare to celebrate your centennial next year, I’m going to go ahead and jump the gun and say Fort Lee, happy 100th birthday.”

    With nearly every installation visit, Obama said he appreciates the quick meet and greet opportunities because it allows him to thank service members for the hard work they do every day.

    “You don’t always get the glory,” said Obama, “but the fact is that America’s Army and America’s military could not project around the world; would not be the very best in the world if it were not for the best sustainment personnel in the world. There’s an old saying ‘amateurs talk about tactics, professionals talk about logistics.’”

    Following Obama’s departure, community members expressed their excitement about meeting the commander in chief.

    “I thought it was an outstanding visit,” said Maj. Gen. Darrell K. Williams, CASCOM and Fort Lee commanding general. “I think about it in this context: of all of the places the president could have chosen to come and do a forum, a town hall, about military veterans and families and the issues that affect them, he chose Fort Lee. That says a lot about this world-class installation and the surrounding communities.”

    Vivian Williams, director of Training and Development at CASCOM, said she was thrilled to meet the president and shake his hand.

    “I wanted to be a part of what I see as a very historical event on our installation,” she said. “In advance of our centennial, I think this is probably the first commander-in-chief we’ve had here on the installation. I thought it was a great and magnificent event in the history of Fort Lee.”

    “It was an awesome experience; I’ll never forget this,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jaime Garcia, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, CASCOM. “This is a good way for me to exit out of the military. I’m currently about to retire. This was my way out. It was awesome.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 09.29.2016
    Date Posted: 09.29.2016 14:02
    Story ID: 210930
    Location: US

    Web Views: 91
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN