President Barack Obama paid tribute to true American heroes last night. The CIC opened the White House doors for a formal dinner to honor troops returning home from Iraq.
Obama thanked those who fought and served over the last nine years saying:
“In a culture that celebrates fame and fortune, yours are not necessarily household names. You are something more: the patriots who served in our name. And after nearly nine years in Iraq, tonight is an opportunity to express our gratitude and to say once more, welcome home.”
In addition to the President, the Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta spoke to the veterans and their families.
Over 200 veterans and their guests gathered in the East Room to dine on aged rib-eye steak, potato croquettes and chocolate crème brulee.
Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, 41, of Texas was one of the honored guests and was the first person injured in the war.
Alva had a leg amputated after stepping on a land mine just hours after the war began in 2003. He later revealed that he was gay and became a prominent advocate for ending the military’s ban against openly gay service members.
In all, close to 4,500 Americans died in the Iraq war. Watch as President Obama welcomes America’s veterans to the White House.
