Obama: A New Generation of Veterans Emerges from Iraq and Afghanistan
Saturday, August 10, 2013
By: Amy Green

August 10, 2013 | WMFE - President Barack Obama says the nation's longest war is ending, but the job of caring for disabled veterans only is beginning. Obama spoke Saturday in Orlando on the opening day of the Disabled American Veterans national convention. He described how the government will care for a new generation of disabled veterans, one he described as the 9-11 generation.

The president drew cheers when he said the Afghanistan war will end next year.

"For nearly 12 years, ever since we were attacked on that clear September morning, our nation has been at war. Our fight in Afghanistan is now America's longest war. At the same time our troops fought courageously in Iraq for nine long years."

But he said disabled veterans face more battles.

To help, the president said funding for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has grown 40 percent. He also said more veterans now have health care.

But he said too many veterans still wait too long for their benefits.

"Part of it is all of these new veterans in the system who came in. Agent Orange. PTSD. It meant a lot more claims."

He said the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has expanded its staff of claims processors. 

And he said veterans need help transitioning to new careers.

First Lady Michelle Obama introduced the president.

More than 4,000 were expected at the convention. It concludes Tuesday.