Posted by CBS News on Saturday, April 22, 2017
Obama wanted to hide the gruesome facts of war, meanwhile our men and women are still being blown up and killed in the war on Terror. He kept it all quiet and hoped it would all just fade away if it was off the air and out of peoples minds, like so many of his followers who also want to keep veterans hush-hush and behind closed doors. Obama always wanted to look like a clean never getting his hands dirty president. I’m glad Trump brought to light this is what happens when we send our men and women into combat, Veterans deserve the spotlight not the politicians and liberal me me me hollywood cry babies. Thank you Donald J. Trump and Melania Trump for putting this in the spotlight. ~OIF/OEF Combat VETERANS~
Trump awards Purple Heart on first trip to Walter Reed military hospital
CBS writes
BETHESDA, Md. — President Donald Trump on Saturday awarded a Purple Heart to an Army sergeant recently wounded in Afghanistan, the first of many Trump likely will award during his service as commander in chief of the U.S. military.
“When I heard about this … I wanted to do it myself,” Trump said during a brief ceremony at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, outside Washington. The medal went to Sgt. 1st Class Alvaro Barrientos, who was wounded March 17 in Afghanistan during what is now America’s longest war. The White House did not release Barrientos’ hometown.
“Congratulations on behalf of Melania and myself and the entire nation. Tremendous,” said Trump, mentioning his wife.
It was Trump’s first visit as president to the military hospital.
Barrientos, whose right leg below the knee had been amputated, was brought into a hospital atrium in a wheelchair, accompanied by his wife, Tammy.
Trump kissed Barrientos’ wife before pinning the medal on the sergeant’s left shirt collar, grasping Barrientos by the shoulders and then shaking his hand. The Purple Heart is awarded to service members who are wounded or killed in action.
Besides Barrientos, Trump met privately with about a dozen service members who are receiving care at the medical center.
Before leaving the White House, the president tweeted that he looked forward to “seeing our bravest and greatest Americans.”
Trump’s decision to allow news media coverage of the medal ceremony was in sharp contrast to former President Barack Obama, who awarded Purple Heart medals during his regular visits to Walter Reed but always did so behind closed doors.
Trump was driven to Maryland instead of flying in the Marine One helicopter, the way presidents typically travel to Walter Reed, due to annual public tours of the White House south grounds and gardens that were taking place Saturday.
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