After spending most of Memorial Day in New Hampshire, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama flew to the Quad Cities on Monday night to attend a reception for veterans. Obama, a U.S. Senator from Illinois, told some two-hundred invited veterans and their families at the Davenport event that America best honors its war dead by providing for veterans.
Obama says, "If we cannot bring back the fallen, then we have a solemn obligation to treat those who do come back, who have put themselves at risk and yet still have a life to be led, that we are embracing them." Obama’s 20-minute speech didn’t mention his campaign until the very last lines.
Obama says: "I promise you that should I have the great privilege of being the next commander in chief, that I will understand that solemn obligation to make sure that I send young men and women into battle only after it is clear that we have done everything we need to prepare them for war and just as importantly, that we’ve done everything we need to prepare them for peace."
Then, moving among the round banquet tables, Obama vowed to shake hands with everyone there. He’s expected to detail his health care plans today in Iowa City.