Obama Calls for Improved Services for Veterans

LITTLETON, N.H. — Though he said Memorial Day shouldn't be politicized, Senator Obama, a Democratic presidential hopeful, used a visit to a war monument yesterday to repeat his call for better services for veterans.

Mr. Obama, campaigning in the first-in-the-nation primary state with his wife and daughters, laid a wreath at a monument before attending a town hall-style meeting.

"This is a day on which we reflect on those who have fallen and reflect on the sacrifices they have made for all of us," Mr. Obama said, talking with reporters after the brief ceremony. "This is a great day to think about what we're doing on behalf of our veterans, and what we're not doing on behalf of our veterans."

Mr. Obama has made his opposition to the war in Iraq a central part of his campaign. At a town hall forum Sunday in Conway, his comments on the war prompted a standing ovation, complete with whoops and hollers. The Illinois senator said he supports the troops, just not their mission.

"There's nobody who doesn't support the troops," Mr. Obama said. "This really is a political argument that is designed to deflect criticism of the president's policies in Iraq."

On Sunday, Mr. Obama said the country is not providing enough mental health services for active duty troops and veterans. "We cannot expect our young men and women to serve in our armed forces, if we are not making sure they get the treatment they deserve," Mr. Obama said.

Mr. Obama is urging the Pentagon to recruit more mental health professions to help identify and treat problems. He said improvements are needed at every stage of military service: recruitment, deployment, and re-entry into civilian life.