Bidens Host Send-Off Event for Injured Veterans' Bike Ride ...3 of 4 >
May 26, 2014 - After remarks by Ride 2 Recovery organizer John Wardin and Dr. Jill Biden, Vice President Joe Biden spoke to veterans and supporters at the Vice President's Residence prior to the start of the sixth annual UnitedHealthcare Ride 2 Recovery Memorial Challenge.  He stated:

"Government has a lot of obligations.  It has obligations to our children, to the elderly, but it only has one truly sacred obligation.  We use words lightly, but the only truly sacred obligation we have, before every other obligation that exists in this country, is the to equip those of you who we send in to harm's way and care for you when you come home, and your families.  That is a sacred obligation, and we're behind right now.  The VA is having problems, and we've got to get to the bottom of it; we've got to get to the bottom of it.  And it's true, we vastly expanded the eligibility of the VA going all the way back to my generation of Vietnam veterans and Agent Orange, but that is not a reason for any misrepresentation along the line."

Biden noted that every morning he receives updates on the total number of American troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and he acknowledged the 33,510 still serving in Afghanistan.  "On this day, we as Americans have to recommit ourselves not just with our words but with our deeds," Biden said. 
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