WASHINGTON \u2014 President Donald Trump touted veterans as an example of unity and harmony for a divided America in a speech before the American Legion\u2019s national convention in Nevada on Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The comments came just hours after a fiery campaign rally in Phoenix the night before where the commander in chief attacked Democrats, journalists and members of his own party for what he call obstructionist and fraudulent tactics to undermine his presidency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But in his address before nearly 10,000 veterans in Reno, Trump struck a calmer, more complimentary tone. As he has several times in the past, he praised service members and veterans as epitomizing the best characteristics of America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are here to honor you for the sacrifices you have made to defend our nation and preserve our way of life,\u201d he told the crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut we are also here for another reason. We are here to hold you up as an example of the strength, courage and love that our country will need to overcome every challenge that we face. We are here to draw inspiration from you as we seek to renew the bonds of loyalty that bind us together as one people and one nation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trump did not specify the challenges he was referencing, but he repeatedly complimented both the Legion and veterans community for leadership on a host of government reforms and community initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also highlighted the Legion\u2019s platform of American pride and civic duty, calling it an important lesson for the country today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf American patriots could secure our independence, carve out a home in the wilderness, and free millions from oppression around the world, than that same sense of patriotism, courage, and love can help us create a better future for our people today,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trump highlighted several VA reforms advanced in recent months, including new accountability legislation designed to speed up the firing of VA problematic workers. After his speech, he signed into law a measure overhauling the veterans benefits appeals process, reforms that advocates hope will significantly reduce the current five-year processing average for those cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\t