President Obama honors Veterans Day while still deciding on Afghanistan
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On his first Veterans Day as president, Barack Obama made the traditional Veterans Day presidential visit to Arlington National Cemetery to honor all who have served in the U.S. military.
He also visited the gravesites of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan and laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, in a steady, light rain. He stood with his hand over his heart as a bugler played Taps.
A short time later, the president gave a brief speech, honoring generations of Americans who have served in their country’s armed forces.
“In this time of war, we gather here mindful that the generation serving today already deserves a place alongside previous generations for the courage they have shown and the sacrifices that they have made,” Obama said.
The President recognized how the Veterans chose to serve the cause that is greater than self and how for the better part of a decade, they have endured tour after tour in distant and difficult places.
He praised the Veterans for having protected us from danger and for giving others the opportunity for a better life.
“So to all of them — to our veterans, to the fallen, and to their families — there is no tribute, no commemoration, no praise that can truly match the magnitude of your service and your sacrifice,” he stated.
Several news agencies indicate that after this holiday, President Obama will consider a new compromise plan for adding troops to Afghanistan that would deploy 30,000 to 35,000 new forces, including as many as 10,000 military trainers, over the next year or more.
Obama and his team want to combine reinforcements for fighting Taliban insurgents with trainers aimed at rapidly increasing the size and capabilities of Afghan troops to take on more operations themselves.
The idea is to weaken the Taliban until Afghan forces can secure major population centers themselves.
The plan does not call for a surge like the one employed in Iraq by President Bush and General David Petraeus, but appears to be a compromise to those urging more troops and those backing Vice President Biden’s slower approach.
A senior military official said this so-called hybrid option is now drawing the most attention at the Pentagon.
Other news sources inform that it will be considered along with options already proposed by the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley McChrystal.
Officials said Obama is now expected to unveil his new Afghanistan strategy shortly after he returns from a trip to Asia on Nov. 19.
The Americano / Agencies
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Yes thank God for wisdom! He could of just sent them to afghanistan and allow those young men and women to do 4 and 5 tours like our former president. I thank God he is taking his time! Now, we know that the Government is backing the taliban and pushing the drug lords. AT OUR EXPENSE!!
That is right… still deciding on Afghanistan…