Veterans Take the Stand in NYC Free Speech Trial

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Veterans Take the Stand in NYC Free Speech Trial

Couple Helps Wounded Veterans, Now Owes $10,000 In Taxes

A Virginia couple that gave land and $ 1 million to a veterans group is hit with a $ 10,000 tax bill. FOX News reports.

RealClearPolitics Video Log

Couple Helps Wounded Veterans, Now Owes $10,000 In Taxes

Alleged Vandalism at Veterans Cemetery Causes Controversy

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Alleged Vandalism at Veterans Cemetery Causes Controversy

Veterans or Butchers?

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Veterans or Butchers?

On Veteran’s Day Obama Again Says Al-Qaeda Is on “Path of Defeat” (Video)

During his Veterans Day Speech today in Washington DC Barack Obama once again claimed Al-Qaeda was defeated.

“Today we can say because of their heroic service, the core of Al-Qaeda is on the path of defeat.”

Via Happening Now:

Maybe he forgot that Al-Qaeda operatives were behind the Benghazi 9-11 attack?

Funny… Just last week Obama admitted Al-Qaeda was on the rise in Iraq.

Notice: We are currently experiencing occasional outages with the Disqus commenting
system. We appreciate your patience as we work to resolve the issue.

The Gateway Pundit

On Veteran’s Day Obama Again Says Al-Qaeda Is on “Path of Defeat” (Video)

LISTEN: Lessons on Veteran’s Day

Happy Veteran’s Day to everybody out there who’s ever served in the military, says Neal Boortz. In this clip, Boortz lists examples of issues that have happened to children in homes and in school – he asks, is this how you were raised?

Read more at The Neal Boortz Show

Neal Boortz is a former attorney, a talk show host and a New York Times best-selling author. Follow him on Twitter @Talkmaster

Rare

LISTEN: Lessons on Veteran’s Day

Veterans Day: Discounts and Freebies

Military.com – by Heather Sweeney

The following is a list of nearly 100 Veterans Day discounts on goods, services and dining for 2013. Please check back frequently as the list is updated.

Keep in mind that most businesses require proof of military service, which can include a VA Universal Access Card, Military I.D., DD-214 (Discharge Papers), Veterans Service Organization Card (VSO’s include groups like the VFW, DAV, AmVets, MOAA, FRA, and the American Legion), or in some cases businesses will accept a picture of the veteran in uniform.  

Note: Not all franchise locations participate in their national chain’s Veterans Day programs – be sure contact your nearest establishment to make sure they are participating.

Sign up for the Military Deals and Discounts Newsletter to get even more discounts and information on how Military Families can save big.

2013 Veterans Day Restaurant Offerings:

Applebees - Veterans and active duty military receive a free meal from a limited menu, on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11.

Bar Louie – On Sunday, Nov. 10 and Monday, Nov. 11, all Bar Louie locations are offering veterans and military personnel a free meal up to a $ 12 value.

Bob Evans – Veterans and active military personnel receive free all-you-can-eat hotcakes on Monday, Nov. 11.

Boston Market – Boston Market is offering a free whole chicken with the purchase of a family meal on Monday, Nov. 11 with a military ID.

California Pizza Kitchen – Veterans and active military receive a free pizza on Monday, Nov. 11.

NEW! Carrabba’s – All active and retired veterans get a free appetizer of your choice from Nov. 9-Nov. 11.

Champps – On Monday, Nov. 11, Champps will offer a free handcrafted burger with waffle fries to veterans and active duty military.

Charlie Brown’s Steakhouse – Charlie Brown’s is offering a free meal to veterans and active duty military all day on Monday, Nov. 11.

Cheeseburger in Paradise – Veterans and military personnel receive a free All American Burger with fries on Monday, Nov. 11 with the beverage purchase of $ 1.99.

Chili’s – Veterans and active duty get a free entrée all day from a limited menu on Monday, Nov. 11.

Coffee Beanery – Veterans and active duty military receive a free tall cup of coffee all day on Nov. 11.

Denny’s – Active, inactive and retired military personnel can get free all you can eat pancakes on Veterans Day nationwide from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Einstein Bros. Bagels – Active, inactive and retired military personnel receive a free Signature or Classic Bagel and Shmear (or any other topping) on Monday, Nov. 11.

Famous Dave’s – Famous Dave’s is offering various discounts and free meals on Monday, Nov. 11 with proof of service. Specific offers vary by locations.

FATZ – Veterans and active duty military can enjoy a free entrée at FATZ, up to a $ 15 value. Veterans who dine at FATZ on November 11 will also receive a $ 2 coupon for use on their next visit.

Fox & Hound Bar and Grill – Veterans and active duty military receive any burger for free on Monday, Nov. 11. Limit one burger per person, and proof of service is required. Offer good for dine-in only.

Friendly’s – Veterans and active military receive a free Big Two Do Breakfast and coffee on Monday, Nov. 11.

Golden Corral – Golden Corral is offering a free dinner on Monday Nov. 11, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Military retirees, veterans, active duty, National Guard and Reserves are all welcome.

Hooters –Veterans and active duty military receive a free meal on Monday, Nov. 11.

Hoss’s Family Steak & Sea House – Veterans eat for free on Monday, Nov. 11 from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

NEW! IKEA – From Nov. 9-11, active, reserve or retired servicemembers receive a free entrée, which includes a sandwich, hot dish or entrée salad. Offer good for dine-in only. Military ID or proof of service required.

Jersey Mike’s Subs – Jersey Mike’s Subs is giving customers a free cookie when they make a donation to Wreaths Across America (WAA) Nov. 9 – Nov. 11.

Krispy Kreme – Krispy Kreme stores are offering a free doughnut and small coffee on Monday, Nov. 11 when presenting a military ID or wearing a uniform.

Little Caesars – Veterans and active military members get a free order of Crazy Bread on Monday, Nov. 11.

LongHorn Steakhouse – Veterans and current servicemembers receive a complimentary Texas Tonion appetizer and non-alcoholic beverage from Nov. 11 to Nov. 14.

Max and Erma’s – On Monday, Nov. 11, participating Max & Erma’s locations are saluting veterans and active military personnel with a free Best Cheeseburger in America Combo meal.

McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants – On Sunday, November 10, participating McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants will offer a complimentary entree to vets from a special menu.

Menchi’s –  All veterans will receive a free 6 oz. frozen yogurt on Monday, Nov. 11.

Noah’s New York Bagels – Active, inactive and retired military personnel receive a free Signature or Classic Bagel and Shmear (or any other topping) on Monday, Nov. 11.

O’Charley’s – Veterans and active duty servicemembers get a complimentary meal from a limited menu on Monday, Nov. 11.

Olive Garden – On Monday, Nov. 11, all veterans and current servicemembers get a free meal from a limited menu. Family dining with them will also receive 10% off their meal.

On the Border – Veterans and active duty military can enjoy a free meal from the “Create Your Own Combo menu” on Monday, Nov. 11.

Outback Steakhouse – All active and former servicemembers receive a free Bloomin’ Onion and a beverage on Nov. 11. Outback is also offering active and former servicemembers 10% off their meals Nov. 12 through Dec. 31.

Paciugo Gelato Caffè – Paciugo is offering a free 12 oz. Gelatte® to veterans and active duty military on Monday, Nov. 11 at participating locations.

Red Hot & Blue – Veterans receive a free entrée with the purchase of a second entrée on Monday, Nov. 11. Coupon required.

Red Lobster – Veterans and current servicemembers receive a complimentary appetizer from a limited menu from Nov. 11 to Nov. 14.

Red Robin – Veterans and active duty military get a free Tavern Double Burger and Bottomless Steak Fries on Monday, Nov. 11.

Shoney’s – Shoney’s will be offering a free All-American Burger to veterans and active duty servicemembers on Monday, Nov. 11.

Sizzler – Sizzler is offering active duty and veteran military members a free lunch from a limited menu on Monday, Nov. 11 until 4 p.m.

NEW! Souplantation – From Saturday, Nov. 9 through Monday, Nov. 11, current and former military personnel eat free with the purchase of one full price meal and 2 beverages. You can also purchase a single meal at 50% off with the purchase of a refillable fountain beverage.

Spaghetti Warehouse – On Sunday, Nov. 10 and Monday, Nov. 11, choose one original spaghetti entrée or 15-layer lasagna and get the second entrée free. This deal requires a coupon, which is available starting Nov. 6 at the Spaghetti Warehouse website, the Facebook page, and can be presented from a mobile phone.

Starbucks – Former and active duty servicemembers and their spouses get a free tall brewed coffee on Monday, Nov. 11.

Sticky Fingers Smokehouse – Veterans, receive a free entrée with the purchase of a second entrée on Monday, Nov. 11. Coupon required.

NEW! Sweet Tomatoes – From Saturday, Nov. 9 through Monday, Nov. 11, current and former military personnel eat free with the purchase of one full price meal and 2 beverages. You can also purchase a single meal at 50% off with the purchase of a refillable fountain beverage.

NEW! Texas Corral – Active duty servicemembers and veterans receive a free entrée from a limited menu on Monday, Nov. 11.

Texas Roadhouse – Texas Roadhouse locations nationwide will offer veterans a free lunch on Monday, Nov. 11 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Offer is good for active duty, retired or former U.S. military.

TGIFridays – Veterans and active duty military get a free lunch from a select menu on Monday, Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Greene Turtle – Veterans and active duty military receive a free lunch from a limited menu on Monday, Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tim Hortons Café & Bake Shop – Active duty military and veterans receive a free donut all day long on Monday, Nov. 11.

NEW! Tony Roma’s – Current and former military members can come in on Monday, Nov. 11 and receive a voucher for a free entrée ($ 15 maximum value) to use on their next visit.

Tucanos Brazilian Grill – Active duty, reserve and retired military and veterans receive a free Churrasco meal on Monday, Nov. 11. They are also offering 10% off the entire bill for veterans and troops who dine with their families, from Friday, Nov. 8 through Veteran’s Day, Monday, Nov. 11.

Travel Centers of America – On Monday, Nov. 11, all CDL drivers who are military veterans eat free at participating full-service restaurants.

Uno Chicago Grill – Veterans and active military get a free entrée or individual pizza with an entrée or pizza purchase of equal or greater value on Monday, Nov. 11. Valid military ID or proof of service required. No coupon necessary.

Village Inn – All veterans and active military personnel receive a free breakfast on Monday, Nov. 11. Choose between Buttermilk Pancakes, Belgian Waffle, or French Toast.

2013 Veterans Day Travel and Recreation:

24 Hour Fitness – Servicemembers receive a weekend of complimentary workouts at clubs nationwide Nov. 8 – Nov. 11.

Colonial Williamsburg – Active duty military, reservists, retirees, veterans and their dependents receive free weekend-long admission tickets Nov. 8 through Nov. 11.

Knotts Berry Farm – Knott’s Berry Farm is offering free admission for veterans and active duty military personnel and one guest from November 4, 2013 to January 5, 2014.

National Parks - On Veterans Day weekend (Nov. 9-11) veterans will have access to over 100 National Parks that require entrance fees for free.

Red Roof Inn - Red Roof Inn is offering 15% off at more than 350 properties nationwide in the month of November to veterans, active duty military and their families.

Sea World Parks and Entertainment – Veterans and active duty military can get 50% off single-day admission tickets through Nov.11, 2013.

NEW! The McGladrey Classic – Active and retired military receive free tickets with official military ID, and veterans pay $ 25 with verified coupon from Nov. 7 through Nov. 10.

World of Coca-Cola – Military members receive complimentary admission year-round, but in honor of Veterans Day they also may purchase up to four half-price tickets for their friends and family Nov. 9-17.

2013 Veterans Day Retailer Offerings:

ACE Jiffy Lube – On Sunday, Nov. 10 and Monday, Nov. 11, veterans and active duty military receive a 50% discount on a Signature Service Oil Change at participating ACE Jiffy Lube locations.

Bed Bath and Beyond – Bed Bath and Beyond is offering veterans 20% off their entire purchase on Nov. 9, 10, and 11. This is good for active duty, DoD, reserves, guard, retirees, veterans, and military spouses.

Big Lots – Veterans, active duty, reserve, and retired military personnel and their immediate family receive 10% off their entire purchase on Saturday, Nov. 9.

Buy Buy Baby – Active duty, DoD, Reserves, Guard, retirees, veterans and military spouses get 20% off their entire purchase on Nov. 9, 10 and 11.

NEW! Build-a-Bear Workshop – Build-a-Bear is offering 15% off all military-themed gifts online and 15% off entire in-store purchase with military ID. Offer good now through Nov. 11.

Dollar General – Veterans, active military, members of the National Guard and Reserve and immediate family members get 11% off the total purchase on Nov. 11.

Grace for Vets - Car washes from around the world who join this program offer free car washes to veterans and servicemembers on Nov. 11.

Great Clips – On Monday, Nov. 11, customers who come in for a service can get a free haircut card to give to their favorite veteran. Veterans can also receive a free haircut or get the free haircut card. Haircuts are redeemable until Dec. 31.

Home Depot  – Home Depot offers a 10% discount to all veterans during Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day. Home Depot offers the 10% discount year round to for active duty and retirees.

JCPenney – Veterans, active duty and family members receive an extra 20% off in stores Nov. 6-11 with coupon.

NEW! Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores – Past or present members of the armed forced and their families receive 20% off their total purchase Sunday, Nov. 10 through Friday, Nov. 15.

NEW! Jos. A. Bank – Customers who purchase a regular-priced men’s suit (excluding Traveler and Signature products) in-store or online will receive an additional two free suits of equal or lesser value from Nov. 12-17.

Lowe’s – All veterans receive a 10% discount on Veterans Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. The offer is available in stores only.

Massage Envy – Participating Massage Envy locations in the Washington DC, Maryland, and northern Virginia region are offering a complimentary 1-hour massage to active military, veterans and spouses on Monday, Nov. 11.

NEW! Meineke Car Care Centers – On Monday, Nov. 11, all veterans and active duty military personnel, as well as spouses of deployed members receive free basic oil changes.

Sport Clips – Participating locations are offering veterans and active duty servicemembers free haircuts on Monday, Nov. 11.

Steve Madden – Steve Madden is offering 20% off the entire purchase with a valid military ID on Monday, Nov. 11.

Toys“R”Us – At Toys“R”Us and Babies”R”Us, military members and their families can get 20% off one regular-priced item from Sunday, Nov. 10 through Saturday, Nov. 16.

Under Armour – Veterans and active duty servicemembers get 15% off plus free shipping on all orders from now until Monday, Nov. 11.

Walgreens – Walgreens is offering 15% off eligible store items and 20% of Walgreens, Nice! And W brand products on Monday, Nov. 11. This discount is available to all veterans and active duty military personnel.

Other:

Amazon – Amazon.com is offering a free MP3 album download of “Veterans Day Honor” on Monday, Nov. 11.

America’s Parade – Veterans are invited to march in this New York City parade on Nov. 11.

“Honor Flight” movie – Veterans can see the movie “Honor Flight” for free in theaters nationwide on Monday, Nov. 11.

Kiplinger’s, Social Security Solutions and Wells Fargo – On Nov. 11, Kiplinger’s Social Security Solutions will offer veterans free one-day access to its online tool for a personalized report to help maximize retirement benefits.

Medal of Honor Stamps – The U.S. Postal Service will issue special Medal of Honor stamps on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

NEW! NFL Salute to Service – To honor Veterans Day, the NFL will donate $ 100 to each of its non-profit partners (the Pat Tillman Foundation, USO and Wounded Warrior Project) for every point scored during the 32 Salute to Service games.

Year-Round Veterans Discounts:

Foot Locker – Veterans, servicemembers (active, guard, and reserve), and their immediate families with a Foot Locker Veterans Advantage Card receive a 20% discount every day of the year. That offer is good both online and at any store location, including Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Footaction and Champs Sports — even on sale items.

Home Depot  – Home Depot offers a 10% discount (up to a $ 500 maximum) to all active military, reserve, retired or disabled veterans and their family members with a valid military ID. All other veterans qualify for a 10% discount during Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day.

Lowe’s – Lowe’s offers a year-round 10% discount offer for all active duty, National Guard and Reserve, retirees and disabled servicemembers and their immediate families. All other veterans receive the 10% discount on Veterans Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. The discount is available on in-stock and special-order purchases of up to $ 5,000. The offer can’t be used on sales at Lowes.com, on previous sales or on sales of services or gift cards. You must present a valid military I.D. card to receive the discount.

—

Sign up for the Military Deals and Discounts Newsletter to get even more discounts and information on how Military Families can save big.

http://www.military.com/veterans-day/veterans-day-military-discounts.html#.Un-1AeqCdZw.email

Veterans Day: Discounts and Freebies

Veteran Warriors to Descend on Washington Demanding Overdue Veterans Administration Overhaul

No one can understand the plight of the massive US Veteran community, better than the Veteran Warriors. Beginning Tuesday, November 12, 2013, a small group of disabled veterans representing all branches of our military is schedule to meet with 12 legislators and 2 subcommittees in Washington, D.C. I hope these legislators are ready. From what I understand, these Veteran Warriors are determined to win the fight for a total overhaul of a failing Veterans Administration.

Two weeks ago, the House Committee on Veterans Affairs held hearings on Veterans Administration case backlogs. I watched and listened to these hearings. With the exception of a few Congressmen—those that actually served—much of what I heard was an exercise in false self-righteous indignation, shifting the blame, shameless finger pointing and deception. “Thank you for your service to our nation,” has become a platitude in American political circles.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs, administered by Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Retired U.S. Army General Eric Shinseki— a member of President Obama’s “the buck stops here” executive cabinet —is under fire for a confirmed culture of corruption, fraud and incompetence plaguing an unprepared and poorly managed Veterans Administration (VA).

I recently spoke with Lauren Price of Veteran Warriors about the ongoing mess at the VA. Lauren is amazing. Price is retired Navy, a disabled Veteran, the wife of a disabled Navy veteran, mother of a disabled Army veteran, a grandmother and the Public Affairs Representative for the Veteran Warriors.

She is also terminally ill. She suffers from a disease she acquired will serving in Iraq known as Constrictive Bronchitus.

For the past 5 years, Lauren Price—a former paralegal in civilian life—and a small group of military veterans, investigated, documented, catalogued and summarized the core issues and problems plaguing the VA. The Veteran Warriors have also—on their own time and dime—developed a simple plan to restructure and overhaul the second largest department in our government. They are now taking their case and there plan to Congress. They need America’s support.

The Veteran Warriors proposal to overhaul the VA can be found here.

Fed up with band-aid approaches and failures of poorly thought out and wasteful legislation like the 2008 Benefits Delivery at Discharge Program, this group of former military members, is determined to improve a long neglected, cost inefficient and unproductive VA; not only for their fellow service members and veterans, but for the taxpayer.

To Lauren Price—who also suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) —this is a fight worth fighting. To quote her, “I have nothing to lose. I am dying. Might as well make the best of the time I have left.”

Unlike me, this is not political for disabled veteran Lauren Price and the “Veteran Warriors.” This is about improving our government for the taxpayer. I wish I could be so considerate. She is a brave women, a true Patriot and a better human being than the majority of us.

Like so many other real national priorities (budgets, deficits, national debt and entitlement reform) that our Congress—and an arrogant and irresponsible President—has failed to address, the real problems at the Department of Veterans Affairs are overdue for overhaul, not meaningless reforms. In fairness, since World War II, our government has an abysmal record of accomplishment in Veterans Affairs. However, this is not an excuse to delay much needed overhaul so that our veterans receive the timely care and benefit’s they earned fighting our wars.

Moreover, yes, Mr. President, whether you like it or not, these are your wars too. However, I digress.

With Lauren Price’s permission, I will continue to follow the progress of the “Veteran Warrior” Group and introductions to their team. Once again America, they are going down range for us. I suspect they could use your support.

For those that wish to help, shoot the editor, Tim Brown, an email by clicking the contact button at the top of the screen. He will put you in touch with the right people.

Don’t forget to Like Freedom Outpost on Facebook and Google Plus.

Freedom Outpost

Veteran Warriors to Descend on Washington Demanding Overdue Veterans Administration Overhaul

Hayes: Confederate Flags Overshadow Veterans At DC Rally

Chris Hayes hosts a discussion about the “Million Vets” march in Washington DC. Was their “non-partisan” message overshadowed by Sarah Palin and Confederate flags? Also, why did Occupy Wall Street fail to get into mainstream politics, as the Tea Party succeeds at grinding government to a halt.

RealClearPolitics Video Log

Hayes: Confederate Flags Overshadow Veterans At DC Rally

Veterans Storm Memorials...

Back to the Memorial

WTOP’s Jamie Forzato reports

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Heading up 17th Street

WTOP’s Jamie Forzato reports

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At the World War II Memorial

WTOP’s Jamie Forzato reports

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WASHINGTON – Thousands of people converged on the World War II Memorial on the National Mall on Sunday morning and tore down the barricades blocking it off, protesting the closure of the memorial during the federal government shutdown.

Beginning at about 9:30 a.m., Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Ted Cruz, R-Texas, as well as former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, were among the luminaries in a crowd that chanted “Tear down these walls!” and sang “God Bless America” as well as other patriotic songs as they entered the memorial, which has been closed since the government shutdown that began Oct. 1.

Tractor-trailers headed down 17th Street toward the Mall, blaring their horns. The Metropolitan Police Department blocked off the street, prompting the crowd to head up the street, shouting at the police to move their vehicles.

Cruz said that President Obama was using veterans as political pawns in the shutdown.

By 11 a.m., the group had headed back to the memorial, and dozens congregated around World War II veterans, shaking their hands and thanking them for their service.

WTOP’s Jamie Forzato contributed to this report. Follow @WTOP on Twitter.

© 2013 WTOP. All Rights Reserved.

Drudge Report Feed

Veterans Storm Memorials...

Veterans dying from overmedication

Source: CBS

…

CBS News obtained VA data through a records request which show the number of prescriptions written by VA doctors and nurse practitioners during the past 11 years. The number of patients treated by VA is up 29 percent, but narcotics prescriptions are up 259 percent.

A dozen VA physicians who’ve worked at 15 VA medical centers told us they’ve felt pressured by administrators to prescribe narcotics and that patients are not being properly monitored.

“I have seen people that have not had an exam of that body part that they’re complaining of pain in for two years,” said a doctor who presently treats pain patients at the VA and had asked not to be identified. “It’s easier to write a prescription for narcotics, and just move along, get to the next patient.”

“We’re letting people come in and prescribing massive doses of narcotics and they also are on drugs for mental health problems,” the doctor continued.

By giving those kinds of quantities of pills, one might assume that requires a rather close eye being kept on the patient. “You would think so. But it isn’t the case,” said the doctor.

We gathered data from five of the states with the most veterans. We found they are dying of accidental narcotic overdoses at a 33 percent higher rate than non-veterans.

Read More…

BlackListedNews.com

Veterans dying from overmedication

Obama to address convention of disabled veterans

President Barack Obama leaves after his news conference in the East Room at the White House in Washington, Friday, Aug. 9, 2013. The president said he’ll work with Congress to change the oversight of some of the National Security Agency’s controversial surveillance programs and name a new panel of outside experts to review technologies. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President Barack Obama leaves after his news conference in the East Room at the White House in Washington, Friday, Aug. 9, 2013. The president said he’ll work with Congress to change the oversight of some of the National Security Agency’s controversial surveillance programs and name a new panel of outside experts to review technologies. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama will cite progress in reducing the backlog of disability claims when he addresses a gathering of disabled veterans on Saturday.

The White House says Obama also will discuss research into traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide among veterans and troops, as well as efforts to help veterans earn college degrees or get the credentials needed to compete for high-skilled jobs during his an appearance before the Disabled American Veterans’ convention in downtown Orlando, Fla.

First lady Michelle Obama will also address the veterans. Mrs. Obama and Vice President Joe Biden’s wife, Jill, are leading a national effort to rally public support for military families.

A top concern for veterans is the staggering backlog of disability claims for compensation for illness and injury caused by military service.

The number of claims waiting to be processed ballooned under Obama, largely because the administration made it easier for Vietnam veterans who were exposed to the Agent Orange defoliant to get benefits.

But the backlog recently has begun to shrink due to aggressive steps taken by the Veterans Affairs Department, including requiring claims processors to work overtime and transitioning to a new computer system to help speed the judgment of claims. About 780,000 claims are pending. Currently, about 500,000 are considered backlogged, down from about 611,000 in March.

A claim is deemed backlogged if it has been in the system for 125 days, or roughly four months.

The Disabled American Veterans organization, which helps veterans access benefits, generally has applauded the administration for taking steps to address the backlog. The group also has been a staunch defender of VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, who has promised to wipe out the claims backup by 2015.

Beyond the backlogged claims, Republican lawmakers have begun to hammer the VA on the issue of patient safety. A congressional hearing in Atlanta this past week focused on poor patient care linked to four deaths. Another hearing is scheduled for next month in Pittsburgh, where five veterans died as a result of a Legionnaire’s disease outbreak in 2011-12.

Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, said he hoped Obama would use his appearance at the disabled veterans convention to make a personal commitment to solving both issues.

In his remarks, Obama also is expected to reaffirm the administration’s commitment to winning ratification of United Nations treaty encouraging countries to ensure that people with disabilities enjoy the same rights and fundamental freedoms as the able-bodied.

Led by Republican opposition, the Senate rejected the treaty last December, falling five votes short of the number needed for ratification.

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Associated Press writer Kevin Freking contributed to this report.

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Follow Darlene Superville on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dsupervilleap

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