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Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP
President Barack Obama leads guests to a toast as he hosts a dinner for members of the U.S. military who served in Iraq in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Feb., 29, 2012.
Joshua Roberts / Reuters
U.S. President Barack Obama speaks during a dinner on Wednesday night.
See images from the U.S. withdraw from Iraq at the end of 2010 and 2011.
AP reports: The president who opposed the Iraq war from its outset thanked those who fought its battles by sitting down to a candlelit meal with a small cross section of the million-plus who served there over the past nine years.
Looking out over a sea of dress uniforms sparkling with medals attesting to years of wartime strife, Obama told the gathering: "In a culture that celebrates fame and fortune, yours are not necessarily household names. You are something more: the patriots who served in our name. And after nearly nine years in Iraq, tonight is an opportunity to express our gratitude and to say once more, welcome home."
Rachel Maddow shares some video from Wednesday night's White House dinner honoring returning Iraq war veterans.
Leave a Comment:
Salute to the Iraqi war veterans? These corrupt politicians should never have sent them to war under the pretense of WMD in the first place. What about the tens of thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians killed by US bombing, artillery, and gun fire? Who will acknowledge their suffering and sacrifice?
Totally agree. However,the real dumb a** politicians that sent them to Iraq: Cheney and Bush, have not even acknnowledge their service. At least now they are getting something. If we are paying for it, that what we should do. After all, they "defended "us...right?
Complaining that "we are paying" for the dinner does as much as complaining that we are paying for having a police force. Would you rather buy a missile with the money? Just asking....
Obama/Biden 2012
ONE AND DONE 2012
Get someone with more than 2 brain cells to beat them.
Faced against Obama?
That should be a cake walk.
Who ever debates Obama, will get a severe public spanking and sent home blatting.
These 4 clowns running on the goper ticket can't even debate each other without losing their composure,
NOT with his record.
WORST unemployment in this nations HISTORY.
WORST housing foreclosures in this nations HISTORY.
The WORST in MASSIVE SPENDING of ANY president in...you guessed it... HISTORY.
I agree...I can't WAIT for the debates....BRING THEM ON!
Return your crystal ball to Walmart, theres been a recall on it.
Clueless and mindless..
Reduced to demeaning comments.
Sorry if the truth hurts.
My family which was heavily involved in 'Nam and after...
Non coms were the most affected.
What does that have to do with Obama?
Dear God man...
The stage is set to happen once again.
Dems always squeeze our defense to fund their enabling social programs.
'The more things that change, the more they stay the same.'
Enough said.
ALL programs are on the chopping block in the beginning of december per the failure of the super committee to get anything done
I'm sorry folks. I totally salute our veterans, I honor their sacrifice, but I still can't stand Obama. My family has a long military tradition starting with the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Civil War, World War I and II... with many wounded and killed on both sides of the family. I just can't see Obama as a leader for another four years. I voted for Obama thinking he would have a fresh view of everything... All we got after Bush was the same old political BS.... Obama I don't think this country can continue down the same road... We're not out of Iraq, we still have troops and private mercenaries with the World's largest Embassy. Afghanistan is going down the same rat hole it was when we first got went in but I agree we should of got Osama in the Tora Bora... and out. Our foreign policy is a mess and you can't tell me Africa is doing so much better. China is running around and making deals with resources all over the world while we fight mindless wars. I totally wish I was wrong and hopefully things get better. Let's pray to our Higher Benevolent Father in Heaven that America will find it's way again.... taking care of her people and protecting it's borders from all intruders.... Foreign and Domestic, and making America great once more.. But we need leadership and a Congress that stands for the American People not special interests.
Well done Mr.President, the troops DESERVE the recognition, they have EARNED it.
I guess I missed the part that showed the Vietnam vets had an honor dinner at the Blackhouse. What a shame....
The "Blackhouse"? (Sigh) Maybe you should resurrect President Nixon or write to President Carter and ask them about that.
Meanwhile, this was a nice, respectful gesture to these military people, who apparently wanted to be in the military since they volunteered - not made to go (drafted) like in Vietnam. I thank them for their service, and am happy if my tax money paid for this dinner, and every benefit possible for our vets who have fought, died and been maimed in wars that we had absolutely no reason to be involved in from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan.
President Obama honored the troops that marched on Presdient's Day in support of Ron Paul by having the media black it out by only bringing up smaller protests for counterceptives in Virgina and then creating a new law the media hasn't acknowlege. H.R. 347 signed in the house of representatives that gives the government power to bring charges against Americans engauged in poltical protest in direct violation of the 1st admendment.
Political Stunt during election year.
Salute the GI's who lost their lives!!!!
OK now lest really honor the people who give us freedom by assisting them with gainful employment. Over 400,000 positions are currently outsourced offshore by USA companies. The majority of these jobs are within technical service and customer support. A returning veteran would certainly be of benefit within these jobs and have a chance to advance within a company and/or sector. Let's Get these companies to bring at least 10% back to the USA as a thank you to our veterans.
Gee I am surprised that any of you feel the way about 65% of the people in the USA. How anyone can appreciate ANYTHING this president has done is beyond me. He has trashed our Constitution, HE is running our lives, he is trying to take over everything that he has no authority to do, he is making our Insurance go Sky High and trying to run the Insurance companies completely out of business, refused to take out the Death Panels in the horrible health Law he insists MUST not be touched, using 95% of his time, at our expense campaigning, instead of trying to HELP our country, he still wants to destroy our entire lives and become OUR ONLY person in charge of us. I really need help in trying to find out what it is that you people STILL want him to be elected AGAIN. I pray he will not have a say in my life after the 2012 election, it will be a GLORIUOS day when he leaves that job he was GIVEN and returns to his OWN people in Kenya
Someone please get rid of that podium , That has got to be the cheesiest eagle I have ever seen , It looks like it's trying to drop a load, and the poles are allready slipping.