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Charles Dharapak / AP
Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, addresses the National Guard Association Convention in Reno, Nev., Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012. Third from left is Major General Francis D. Vavala.
By Anjeanette Damon (contact) 
Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012 | 12:44 p.m.
Sun Archives
RENO—In observance of the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney mostly eschewed politics in a speech today before the National Guard Association, instead paying respect to the members’ service.
On that day 11 years ago, Romney was in Washington, D.C., to meet with congressional members. He drove past the Pentagon after the attack.
“Cars had stopped where they were, and people had gotten out, watching in horror,” he recalled. “I could smell burning fuel and concrete and metal. It was the smell of war, something I never imagined I would smell in America.”
Romney described the attacks as “evil and cowardly and heinous acts,” and said the anniversary serves as a moment to “renew our resolve to protect America from the designs of evil men.”
“The visions and events are seared in the memory of every American,” he said. “We remember those who died. We marvel at the courage of those who stormed the cockpit when they became aware of the malevolent purpose of the hijackers. We hold up in prayer the families and friends who have lived in a shadow cast by grief. We draw strength from the selflessness of the first responders.”
Romney didn’t ignore the fact he is running for president, saying he would usually use such a speech to draw differences between his plans and those of President Barack Obama.
But he did use the opportunity to flesh out some of his national defense platforms, a response to criticism that he didn’t broach the subject in his acceptance speech last month.
“While the war in Iraq is over, nearly 70,000 American troops still remain in Afghanistan,” Romney said. “Our goal should be to complete a successful transition to Afghan security forces by the end of 2014. We should evaluate conditions on the ground and solicit the best advice of our military commanders.
“We can all agree that our men and women in the field deserve a clear mission, that they deserve the resources and resolute leadership they need to complete that mission, and that they deserve a country that will provide for their needs when they come home.”
Romney also promised a stronger economy for troops to return home to, as well as a reformed Veterans Administration. He said he would eliminate the backlog of disability claims filed by veterans, as well as shorten the wait for mental health treatment.
“And the suicide rate among active-duty soldiers and veterans must be treated like the emergency it is,” he said.
Romney also sought to establish his credentials as a potential commander-in-chief, describing his experience as chief of the National Guard when he was governor in Massachusetts, his visits to Iraq and Afghanistan, and his time with service members.
That struck a chord with Dan Reichen, a guard member from Springfield, Ill.
“It was very encouraging,” Reichen said after Romney concluded his 18-minute speech. “I like the fact that as governor he understood the role of the National Guard. He has personal experience with it.”
Many in uniform at the National Guard Association’s convention were careful not to express a preference for either Romney or Obama. Reichen, for example, pointed out he has confidence in both to perform as commander in chief.
Bryan Schuster, a guard member in Reno, said he hadn’t yet made up his mind in the election, saying it’s frustrating to make a decision amid all of the campaign attacks.
But he added both are qualified to lead the military.
“I would trust either one of them,” he said. “As long as they had confidence in the military commanders, they’ll be OK.”
The mormon tax cheater only cares about dividing America and spewing insults. Romney is bad for America
Hey Nick he spoke as a patriotic American. You should watch NBC so you can catch up with whats happening with the Kardashians.
What does Mitt Romney know about the smell of war?
no Romney's have ever served in the military
Romney is NOT patriotic. He wont pay taxes and hides his money in the Caymen Islands. His sons do not serve in the military. Big mouth Ann Romney says military service is for "you people".
Nobody monitors the desert king; deposits and withdrawals are made from his secret vaults. He often loads up duffle bags full of hundred dollar bills and has a prince drop it off on an obedient politician's desk. Visiting heads of state bow down to suck and smell the unwashed fingers of the king, all for a duffle bag full of cash.
Who wrote this stuff. Romney's speech was every bit as political as ever. The only thing he didn't do today was accuse Barack Obama of something but he hinted at his not bringing the troops out of Afghanistan. This man cannot be trusted to keep his word on anything. Today, the candidates were not going to run ads today. Funny how Obama's supporters adhered to that agreement, Dean Heller and Mitt Romney's did not. I am very sure that had they requested it, their superpacs would not have run the ads. No honor among thieves, I guess.
I just heard on KLAS, that Romney told the National guard Association that just after the 9/11 attacks, he immediately called his wife, and went to the Pentagon. I"m wondering how is this possible for him to do that, because he wasn't elected Governor yet, and never served in the military. Again, I heard that on KLAS.
Honor the nearly 3,000 people who died in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks by reading and learning facts and other information 11 years after a national tragedy that has yet to be explained. Could the official 911 narrative sold by a controlled media and our government really be the whole truth or something less? Let the sun shine in. see> http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/ "All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to ... remain silent". Thomas Jefferson 3rd President of these United States of America (1801-1809)
Mitt Romney has no credibility as a presidential candidate. The majority of Americans have access to information about the candidates, we can verify the candidates words and statements. Why Mitt Romney consistently tells lies, distorts the facts, and gives misleading statements is a question for the psychologist.
A thorough analysis of the speech would've been nice, especially as I understand he made some F-22 comments that may have been interesting, but most of the commenters seem to have issues not with substance but with dubious attacks on: a) Mormons, b)taxpayers who follow the law, "loopholed" though it may be, or c)Americans who haven't served or have immediate family who served (like Obama-Biden and most of Congress).
Once again Romney shows his class.....In Romney we finally get a qualified President.
Obama had no business experience, was a community organizer & did we ever learn our lesson.
Obama promised to lower unemployment but he raised it, Obama promised to cut the deficit in half but he added 6 trillion to it....
Obama promised no earmarks and transparency...what a liar...
Vote Romney