Sen. Barack Obama: My Message to the Troops and Veterans

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http://www.vetvoice.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=E065B6942D5A63BF0C346AFB59BE1845?diaryId=85

My Message to the Troops and Veterans
by: Senator Barack Obama
Tue Nov 20, 2007 at 14:30:15 PM EST

VetVoice adds an indispensable perspective on the momentous challenges confronting the United States. The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have lasted longer than World War II. As we move forward, the voices of the brave men and women who have served must be heard. We need to know your stories, be informed by your views, and answer your questions at this decisive moment in our history. Since I was a child, I have benefited from the guidance of veterans, including my grandfather - who marched in Patton's army and taught me the value of patriotism and public service. And that's why I have sought to include veterans in my campaign, and to reach out to mid-level officers in shaping my policy.

Here's where I stand. I strongly support the war in Afghanistan, but have opposed the Iraq War since before it began. Our troops have performed brilliantly in Iraq, but they cannot and should not bear the burden of resolving Iraq's political differences. As President, I will remove all of our combat brigades from Iraq within 16 months. During this drawdown, I will launch aggressive diplomatic and humanitarian initiatives in Iraq and the region, and will reinforce our mission in Afghanistan with at least two combat brigades and substantially more aid.

The war in Iraq has strengthened Iran, but we must reject those who would rush to deal with that threat with more war. That's not the best way to protect our troops or our national security. I opposed the Kyl-Lieberman amendment, which provides the Bush Administration with justification to keep our troops in Iraq to counter Iran. And as President, I will carry out tough, principled, presidential diplomacy to address our serious problems with the Iranian regime.

As we meet these challenges, we have no higher obligation than carrying for those who have served - this is not a separate cost, it is a cost of war. In the Senate, I have fought to pass laws to:

# Improve screening and care for troops who have suffered from PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury, the signature wounds of these war;

# Cut the red tape and improve care for wounded warriors and their families at facilities like Walter Reed;

# Provide shelter for homeless veterans, and services to prevent vets from sliding into homelessness

As President, I will build on these efforts, and keep our sacred trust with those who serve by fully funding veterans medical care, ensuring a seamless transition from active duty to the VA, and building a 21st century VA to serve our veterans.

I am running for President because this moment is too urgent for anything less than a fundamental change in our leadership. I don't want to look up in four years and see that we are fighting another misguided war because no one had the judgment or the courage to ask tough questions before it was too late. I don't want to see homeless vets on the streets, or vets who continue to suffer because we aren't treating PTSD. I am running because America needs a new kind of leadership - leadership that serves you as well as you have served America.