INDIANAPOLIS — The question Vice President Joe Biden gets asked most when he visits injured soldiers is, can you help me get back to my unit?
"What a remarkable generation of warriors," he said of our troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan during a speech Monday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars' 111th National Convention in downtown Indianapolis.
As such, Biden advocated for better and more efficient treatment of veterans while reaffirming his administration's commitment to our operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"I know our nation has one truly sacred obligation - prepare and equip those whom we send into harm's way, and to care for them and their families when they come home," he said.
Considering that the past decade has seen our military embark on a longer period of sustained combat than at any other time in our nation's history - and with almost 40,000 servicemen and women injured during that time - the work of veterans organizations like the VFW are more important than ever.
"You and I know very well that long after these wars are over veterans service organizations are still going to be badly needed," Biden said. "An entire generation of veterans is counting on you."
The federal government has responded to the increased demand by adding $16 billion to the Veterans Administration's budget.
"We do that because the need is real and imperative," Biden said. "We'll continue to hear voices saying in these tough economic times, how can we afford to increase that budget? I say whether we keep our promises to our veterans will say more about who we are as a nation than anything else we will do. Our commitment to our veterans is not negotiable. It's a sacred obligation."
He added the federal government also is working to end some of the long delays veterans have experienced in receiving needed care. No longer will they have to prove the level of care they need either. Rather the burden to disprove will be on the government.
"Wounded veterans should not have to plead for the care they deserve," Biden said.
The vice president said the service and sacrifice of our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan will not go unrequited. As promised by President Barack Obama one month after his inauguration, troops in Iraq will begin phasing out combat missions at the end of this month. A total of 50,000 U.S. soldiers will remain there for now.
"I'm proud to say, as of Sept. 1, the mission of the United States' forces in Iraq will move from combat to advise, assist, train, and equip Iraqi military forces, conduct counterterrorism operations, and provide security for our military and civilian personnel and infrastructure in Iraq," Biden said. "Drawing down our troops in Iraq does not mean we're disengaging. In fact, quite the opposite is true. We're in the process of following President Bush's proposal for a long-term relationship."
The mission in Afghanistan has proved more daunting. Biden cited many reasons: It's a war-ravaged country with crushing poverty, rampant corruption, and harsh terrain. However, with an additional 100,000 troops being deployed there and Gen. David Petraeus back in command, Biden believes our military can turn the tide there.
"After too many years of neglect, we finally have the resources we need and are making measurable progress on the overarching goal we have Ñ to defeat Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan," he said. "All this talk about our inability to succeed is premature."
Petraeus is set to assess the plan's progress in December, he said, adding that officials expect to begin turning the country back over to Afghanis next July.
"They must step up and exercise sovereignty if they ever want to succeed," Biden said.
wade.coggeshall@flyergroup.com
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