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At VMI, Pence Praises Cadets and the President's Support of the Military

White House Photo

Vice President Mike Pence was in Lexington Thursday afternoon, praising the service of Virginia Military Institute cadets and alumni and arguing that President Donald Trump is a strong supporter of the military.

Pence spoke about Friday’s anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks and noted that many of the cadets were born well after that day in 2001. "It's remarkable to reflect that an entire generation of Americans, including many of you, have been born, raised and entered adulthood and never experienced that day. But for those of us who lived through that day," Pence explained, "it will never be just another day on the calendar."

But Pence spent much of his time arguing that President Trump is a solid supporter of the military, saying the administration had rebuilt the armed forces with new weapons and resources.  He didn’t mention President Trump’s complaints earlier this week that Pentagon leaders push for wars to keep military equipment suppliers happy.

Pence also said Trump cares deeply about the men and women of the armed forces and their families.  "I can tell you firsthand, in President Donald Trump, you have a Commander in Chief who will always have your back," Pence said.  The sentence was perhaps a veiled reference torecent reporting that the President disparaged American war dead at a military cemetery in France.  The White House has disputed the report.

The campaign of Trump's Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, launched a Virginia Veterans and Military Families for Biden group Thursday.  Khizr Khan, a Gold Star father from Charlottesville and leader in the group, said in an email that Trump "doesn't understand what it means to sacrifice for his country."

David Seidel is Radio IQ's News Director.
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