{"id":55167,"date":"2015-07-16T19:08:35","date_gmt":"2015-07-16T19:08:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2015\/07\/16\/obama-to-attend-vfw-convention-next-week\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T11:08:27","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T11:08:27","slug":"obama-to-attend-vfw-convention-next-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/veterans\/2015\/07\/16\/obama-to-attend-vfw-convention-next-week\/","title":{"rendered":"Obama to attend VFW convention next week"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

President Obama will keynote the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ annual membership convention in Pittsburgh next week, marking the start of the annual convention season for veterans organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It will be the commander\u00a0in\u00a0chief’s first appearance before the group since 2012, when he attended\u00a0its annual convention amid his re-election campaign. He’ll deliver his remarks on Tuesday, July 21.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Obama is expected to address not only continued problems facing the Veterans Affairs Department but also recent major foreign policy moves, including the new nuclear monitoring deal with Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His speech launches seven weeks of similar meetings across the country by most of the nation’s major veterans groups, bringing together their top leaders and voting members to map out priorities for the coming year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many veterans, the events are not only an opportunity to connect with old friends but also a chance to drive the national conversation about veterans health care, civilian\/military relations and a host of other political issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thousands of veterans are expected at the events, featuring dozens of panel discussions, award ceremonies and leadership moves. VA\u00a0Secretary Bob McDonald is expected to speak at the VFW event and at most of the other conventions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s a look at where to follow each of the conventions online:<\/p>\n\n\n\n