President Barack Obama called on Americans Saturday to honour veterans with the health care and job benefits they have earned, one month ahead of the US military ending its war in Afghanistan. In his weekly address to the nation, which fell three days before Veterans Day, Obama reminded Americans that service to veterans has "only just begun" when they return home.
"Next month, our combat mission will be over, and America's longest war will come to a responsible end," Obama said. "But the end of a war is just the beginning of our obligations to those who serve in our name," he said. Obama's message also came just one day after unveiling plans to send 1,500 additional troops to Iraq.
The move marked a deepening US commitment in the open-ended war against the IS group, three months since American aircraft launched air strikes against the Sunni extremists. The United States already is carrying out air strikes against the IS group in Iraq and Syria but officials insisted the decision did not signal "mission creep" towards another all-out ground war.
"Let's honour our veterans by making sure they get the care and benefits they've earned," Obama said. "That means health care that's there for them when they need it. It means continuing to reduce the disability claims backlog," he said, singling out mental health assistance "for those with post-traumatic stress or traumatic brain injury."
He also called on Americans to help those who served "find jobs worthy of their skills and talents, and making sure the post-9/11 GI Bill stays strong so more veterans can earn a college education." In addition, he called for ending veteran homelessness. It's not "just a job for government," Obama said. "It's a job for every American."