President Obama delivered a speech at the American Legion’s 96th National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, Tuesday and was met with little enthusiasm from a crowd of 10,000 American military veterans.
During his 35-minute speech, there were notably quiet applause that appeared few and far between Obama’s grand statements.
Moreover, according to the Daily Mail, a retired lieutenant from Virginia recounted of the event, “a small group of Obama’s admirers — and there are some here — sat near the front and tried to generate applause for him about 10 times.”
“They didn’t get much pickup … [but] they were persistent,” continued the unnamed legionnaire. “You could tell when the applause was genuine and when it wasn’t. It was obvious to everyone here.”
He explained that many veterans still resent the president for blowing them off at the national convention two years in a row.
“Some of these guys — well, most of them — remember that Obama sent Biden to speak to us last year in Houston, and blew us off entirely during his 2012 campaign,” said the veteran.
Acknowledging the “problems” at the Department of Veterans Affairs, President Obama used the speech to announce 19 executive actions that aim to “help improve mental health care” for the nation’s veterans. Judging by the crowds general silence — with the exception of some cheers out of “Obama’s admirers” — the legionnaires aren’t too invested in Obama’s attempt to improve the arguably fatally flawed VA.
Obama also spoke of his current foreign policy debacle and specifically the threat of ISIS terrorists in Iraq and Syria.
“As commander-in-chief, the security of the American people is my highest priority, and that’s why, with the brutal terrorist group ISIL advancing in Iraq, I have authorized targeted strikes to protect our diplomats and military advisors who are there,” detailed Obama.
Yet, he assured the veterans that “American combat troops will not be returning to fight in Iraq.”
Later, the president specifically addressed the murder of American journalist James Foley by an ISIS terrorist, which was captured in a video posted to YouTube last week.
“Today, our prayers are with the Foley family in New Hampshire as they continue to grieve the brutal murder of their son and brother Jim,” Obama said. “But our message to anyone who harms our people is simple: America does not forget. Our reach is long. We are patient. Justice will be done. We have proved time and time again we will do what’s necessary to capture those who harm Americans.”
Joining the president at the American Legion event was newly appointed Secretary of Veterans Affairs Bob McDonald.
