WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump touted veterans as an example of unity and harmony for a divided America in a speech before the American Legion’s national convention in Nevada on Wednesday.

The comments came just hours after a fiery campaign rally in Phoenix the night before where the commander in chief attacked Democrats, journalists and members of his own party for what he call obstructionist and fraudulent tactics to undermine his presidency.

But in his address before nearly 10,000 veterans in Reno, Trump struck a calmer, more complimentary tone. As he has several times in the past, he praised service members and veterans as epitomizing the best characteristics of America.

“We are here to honor you for the sacrifices you have made to defend our nation and preserve our way of life,” he told the crowd.

“But we are also here for another reason. We are here to hold you up as an example of the strength, courage and love that our country will need to overcome every challenge that we face. We are here to draw inspiration from you as we seek to renew the bonds of loyalty that bind us together as one people and one nation.”

Trump did not specify the challenges he was referencing, but he repeatedly complimented both the Legion and veterans community for leadership on a host of government reforms and community initiatives.

He also highlighted the Legion’s platform of American pride and civic duty, calling it an important lesson for the country today.

“If American patriots could secure our independence, carve out a home in the wilderness, and free millions from oppression around the world, than that same sense of patriotism, courage, and love can help us create a better future for our people today,” he said.

Trump highlighted several VA reforms advanced in recent months, including new accountability legislation designed to speed up the firing of VA problematic workers. After his speech, he signed into law a measure overhauling the veterans benefits appeals process, reforms that advocates hope will significantly reduce the current five-year processing average for those cases.

The president also touted his new Afghanistan strategy, released Monday. He repeated his promise that the U.S. military will not be used for “nation-building” missions again.

The speech came nearly one year after then-candidate Trump’s appearance before the nation’s largest veterans group, where he promised to help the country “achieve unity and accomplish amazing things” if elected president. He reiterated that theme again Wednesday.

“It is time to heal the wounds that have divided us, and to seek a new unity based on the common values that unite us,” he said. “We are one people, with one home, and one flag. We are not defined by the color of our skin, the figure on our paycheck, or the designation of our political party.

“We have no division too deep for us to heal and no enemy too difficult to overcome.”

 

Leo covers Congress, Veterans Affairs and the White House for Military Times. He has covered Washington, D.C. since 2004, focusing on military personnel and veterans policies. His work has earned numerous honors, including a 2009 Polk award, a 2010 National Headliner Award, the IAVA Leadership in Journalism award and the VFW News Media award.

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