President Obama, First Lady to host dinner for Iraq war vets

Washington, DC, United States (AHN) – President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will honor Iraq War veterans and their families at the White House on Feb. 29, according to Jay Carney, the White House spokesman.

Addressing journalists at the daily briefing, Carney said, “The White House has been working with military and civilian leaders from the Department of Defense on this tribute, and we will release more details regarding the dinner when they become available.”

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in a Facebook post, “We will be honored to be a part of ‘A Nation’s Gratitude’ hosted by President and Mrs. Obama to recognize the significant contributions of the U.S. military and military families to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.”

“These heroes and those they represent have sacrificed to defend our nation and provide the Iraqi people an opportunity for a peaceful and secure future,” he said, adding, “I’m proud of their courage and appreciate this appropriate recognition of their service.”

Carney announced that guests will include men and women in uniform from all ranks, services, states and backgrounds.

He cited the dinner as “an expression of the nation’s gratitude for the achievements and enormous sacrifices of the brave Americans who served in the Iraq war, and of the families who supported them.”

With First Lady Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, launching a project to provide assistance to military personnel and their families, the president recently announced new steps to help find jobs for post-9/11 military personnel who have left the service or plan to do so.

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