Atlanta

President Obama promises reforms for veterans during Atlanta stop

ATLANTA — Taking issue with Donald Trump's message that America’s armed forces have become weak, President Barack Obama told a room full of disabled veterans Monday that that’s just not true.

Obama also called for local leaders to do more to help veterans, calling the nation's commitment to its veterans a "sacred covenant."

"I don't use those words lightly. It's sacred because there is no more solemn request than to ask someone to risk their life, to be ready to give their life on our behalf," Obama said at the annual convention of the Disabled American Veterans.

Quicker processing of disability claims and appeals is also needed. A staggering backlog of disability claims has been whittled from more than 600,000 three years ago to below 80,000, but some 450,000 appeals are pending. Veterans wait an average of three years for a decision, which the White House called "unacceptable." Obama called on Congress to pass legislation to overhaul the system.

Channel 2’s Dave Huddleston asked Fulton County Commission Chair John Eaves what he's doing to help veterans.

"We have to do all we can as elected officials and private citizens to support and embrace this community because it truly is a reciprocal relationship," Eaves said.

Eaves said reciprocal because veterans fought to protect America and America has to live up to its duties to give veterans the help and support they need when they return.

"I think we have to make this a priority," Eaves told Huddleston.

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Eaves told Huddleston that Fulton County spends $9 million a year on mental illness. And he says they do a lot with veteran’s court, trying to give veterans a second chance before sending them to prison and the county supports Atlanta to end homelessness.

"I can announce, national, we have reduced homelessness by 47 percent," Obama said Monday.

Obama said ending veteran homelessness is one of several issues he will continue to work on during his remaining months in the White House. He said another is mental health.

"We have to end any shame of stigma in place to get help," Obama said.

He also told the crowd filled with hundreds of veterans that some Republicans that want to privatize veterans’ services is misguided.

"Don’t destroy VA health care and don't break our covenant with our veterans,” Obama said.

Read more about whether Georgia could be a battleground state here.

Cox Media Group

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