Lebanon Reporter

State News

August 23, 2010

Biden advocates veteran care at convention

Vice president provides updates on current wars

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

Text Only
State News
  • news_sbvillage.jpg Measles cases pop up after Super Bowl

    On Wednesday, the Indiana State Department of Health alerted public health officials in Massachusetts and New York that some of their residents may have come in contact with the rare but highly contagious measles virus when visiting the crowded Super Bowl Village in downtown Indianapolis.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo 1 Video

  • Ban on Sunday motorcycle sales targeted

    While advocates for Sunday carry-out alcohol sales have had a hard time making their case to legislators, opponents of another “blue law” may be on an easier road to success.

    February 8, 2012

  • Statehouse action resumes after Super Bowl break

    After a timeout to accommodate out-of-town Super Bowl visitors, the Indiana General Assembly is back in session to tackle legislation that had been bottlenecked by a contentious labor bill.

    February 7, 2012

  • 0201 spts Super Bowl-02 Brady.jpg Brady throws NFL, feds curveball

    Super Bowl officials ended up with news stories Thursday that led with Super Bowl-bound quarterback Tom Brady admitting he watched last year’s NFL championship game on an illegal website.

    February 2, 2012 1 Photo 2 Videos

  • news_security.jpg Super security goes into place for Super Bowl

    Law enforcement officials charged with Super Bowl security are taking extraordinary measures to prevent a terrorist attack, but they’re also working to keep the event from being a field day for common criminals.

    February 1, 2012 1 Photo 1 Video

  • 0201 news Patriots Bar.jpg In Colts' city, Patriots fan offers warm welcome

    In a city that loves its Indianapolis Colts and loves to hate the archrival Patriots, the Stadium Tavern is a geographic anomaly.

    January 31, 2012 1 Photo 1 Video

  • Super Bowl-Lucas Oil XLVI.jpg Indy draws on super effort to overcome skeptics

    As two East Coast teams — the New York Giants and the New England Patriots — get ready to play in Sunday’s game, the city hosting the event seems to be embracing its Midwest identity.

    January 30, 2012 1 Photo 1 Slideshow

  • news_zipline.jpg Zip zip hooray

    Billed as the largest temporary zip line in the U.S., the attraction has become the focal point of the Super Bowl Village, just as it dominated the other attractions at the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

    January 30, 2012 1 Photo

  • news_superbowltix.jpg Super prices for NFL’s super event

    The price tag of a prime seat in Lucas Oil Stadium for Super Bowl XLVI is officially $1,000, but cash-rich fans will shell out multiples of that to see the NFL championship game.

    January 29, 2012 1 Photo

  • news_rtw.jpg Protesters march through Super Bowl Village

    Right-to-work protesters have marched through the packed Super Bowl Village in downtown Indianapolis.

    January 28, 2012 1 Photo

Featured items
Twitter Updates
Follow us on twitter
Follow me on Twitter
AP Video
Bacteria Keep Swimmers Off Some Fla. Beaches Police: Houston Found Under Water, Unconscious Sandusky Can See Grandkids, Have Local Jury Obama Unveils $3.8 Trillion Budget Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked Coroner: Don't Know Houston's Cause of Death Yet Valentine Greetings Sent Worldwide From Loveland Greek Austerity Measures Spark Riots Raw Video: Obama Budget Goes to Capitol Hill Arab League Wants U.N. Help in Syria Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight 'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48 Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party 79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Parade
Magazine

Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com