Biden touts commitment to troops in Whiteman visit

By Matthew Steingraber

Vice President Joe Biden visited Whiteman Air Force Base on Thursday to thank members of the military and promote the Obama administration’s commitment to troops and veterans.

Hundreds of men and women from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps crowded the hangar where Biden, along with U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton and 509th Bomb Wing Commander Col. Robert Wheeler, took the stage in the shadow of a B-2 Bomber.

Biden said veterans have been largely forgotten over the past 15 years, before touting the administration’s proposed budget that includes a $25 million increase in money available to veterans.

“That is the biggest budget increase (for veterans) in a generation,” Biden said. “People said, ‘How can you do that in the midst of this economy?’ And our response is, ‘How can we not do that?’ ”

Biden thanked the members of the military for the service and sacrifice they make for the country, describing the U.S. military as the premier force in the history of the world. 

“Your generation are the most powerful, best-disciplined, best-trained warriors America has ever produced. For that I thank you and owe you, and that is not an exaggeration,” Biden said.

He said the White House is working to improve living conditions, education opportunities and health care accessibility for those in the service. He said the federal stimulus bill includes $7 billion for military construction projects that include new housing, hospitals and health care centers.

Biden also promoted “the most expansive GI Bill since the end of World War II,” which he said will make higher education more affordable for all members of the military.

“This administration is totally devoted to serving men and women in uniform. You sacrifice for the good of our country. We, too, will sacrifice for you,” Biden said. “All of you will one day be veterans, and our commitment extends to veterans as well.”

Biden said veterans have been largely forgotten over the past 15 years, before touting the administration’s proposed budget that includes a $25 million increase in money available to veterans.

“That is the biggest budget increase (for veterans) in a generation,” Biden said. “People said, ‘How can you do that in the midst of this economy?’ And our response is, ‘How can we not do that?’ ”

Before Biden addressed the crowd, he presented Tech. Sgt. David Townsend with the Bronze Star Medal for exceptional meritorious service as convoy commander in Iraq. Townsend, who originally hails from Colorado and currently lives in Windsor, led 15 missions as he commanded the convoy that transported cargo between Kuwait and Iraq.

Townsend said he was honored and nervous when Biden, Skelton and Wheeler congratulated him for his contribution to Operation Iraqi Freedom, but Townsend also had his mind on his military brethren continuing the fight overseas.

“There are other people over there doing a heck of a lot more, so it’s kind of humbling,” Townsend said of the award.

As he introduced Biden, Skelton described the vice president as “a true American who represents the best of the best in his values and integrity.” Skelton said Biden’s visit to the base demonstrates the administration’s commitment to military issues, and his selection of Whiteman denotes the base’s significance to the White House.

“What a thrill this is to welcome the vice president of the United States to Missouri. It’s wonderful for our state, and it is wonderful for Whiteman Air Force Base,” Skelton said.

Skelton also took time to recognize the Whiteman Base Community Council for its support of the base and the troops stationed there.

Members of the council and military personnel who attended the speech said they were honored by the vice president’s visit to the area.

Senior Airman Cody Sides said he was happy to see how adamantly Biden spoke about the administration’s support of the military. Sides, who’s from Carrollton and has been stationed at Whiteman for the past six years, said the part of Biden’s speech that struck him the most was “the fact that he cared so much about what we’re doing in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

“I was honored that he would choose our base over so many others,” Sides said.

Dianne Simon, secretary of the Whiteman Base Community Council, hailed Biden’s expressed commitment to military concerns. She was impressed that both Biden and Skelton spoke about the strength of Whiteman, and she thought it was a good sign for the future of the base to host such a prominent visitor. 

Deb Biermann, executive vice president of the Sedalia Area Chamber of Commerce and member of the Base Community Council, said the visit was “a good way to reinforce the morale of the men and women serving in the armed forces.”

Skelton invited council members to attend the ceremony, but both women were surprised and delighted that Skelton recognized the council and its efforts to support the base as an asset for west central Missouri.

“For him to recognize the Base Community Council was very good,” Simon said. 

“Having that recognition today was certainly rewarding,” Biermann said.

Gratitude and recognition were the focus of the message Biden imparted during his visit. He said the nation’s only sacred commitment is to honor and care for the men and women who serve in the military.

“It’s about your unyielding commitment to your country,” Biden said. “I admire you, the president admires you, and we are putting our money where our mouth is.”

Biden had lunch with troops before jetting to Jefferson City on Thursday afternoon to discuss the administration’s alternative energy plans at ABB Transformer Factory. He will visit the University of Missouri St. Louis on Friday to discuss ways to expand higher education opportunities for more families