President Obama visits Arlington National Cemetery to honor veterans

President Barack Obama on Wednesday, Veterans Day, honored former members of the U.S. Armed Forces and asked Congress to approve measures to improve their health care, education and job situation to facilitate their reincorporation into civilian life. The extreme wait times were first found to be taking place at a VA hospital in Phoenix, but over the last several months, whistleblowers continued coming forward about veterans who were denied care at VA medical centers across the country. The President admitted, however, that work remains to be done, and that the United States has not yet fulfilled its obligation to its vets.

“Our veterans will tell you themselves they may have put away their uniforms, but they’re not finished serving their country”, Mr. Obama said.

“Today in big cities and small towns across our country there will be ceremonies around flag poles, parades down Main Street to properly express our gratitude… but our tributes will ring hollow if we stop there”, Obama said.

Military and county leaders gathered for a program at the Beaufort National Cemetery, where more than 14,000 veterans are buried.

“Today, the veterans’ unemployment rate is down to 3.9 percent, even lower than the national average” of 5 percent, Obama said. “That’s why more and more companies are hiring veterans”. He also hosts a private breakfast at the White House.

“They get stuff done, and they are selfless, and they are courageous and they are qualified”.

The bulk of Obama’s remarks, though, focused on veterans’ employment.

“That’s why we worked to make sure that every state now provides veterans and their families with in-state tuition”, Obama said. Saying America should thank them for their service everyday.