President Obama spoke to veterans on Monday at the 113th annual VFW Convention. Mitt Romney speaks Tuesday inside the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.
The organization helps younger veterans coming home from the Middle East.
During his appearance, President Obama said as commander and chief he will make sure the U.S. military will remain the strongest on the world. He also announced a major overhaul in system in which vets transition from military service to private life.
Obama also announced a major overhaul for the assistance program to help veterans find a job, start a business or pursue their education.
He said his administration has helped thousands of veterans get jobs and today signed he Veterans Skills to Jobs Act.
"People should understand how skilled you are," he told veterans. "Our message to companies is simple. If you want someone to get the job done. Hire a vet. Hire a vet and they will make you proud."
"I've got your back," he told the VFW. "We have a solemn obligation to all who served."
"Let's stop playing politics with our military," Obama told the VFW.
He said he promised to strengthen the VA and he will continue to make "historic" investments in the U.S. veterans. He said he promised he would stand up for veterans health care and he said he made dramatic investments for veterans. "We've made VA health care to nearly 800,000 veterans who didn't have it before," he said.
He started his speech by remembering the victims of the Colorado shooting, including Jonathan Blunk of Reno. He said he had a message for the victims yesterday. "We honor your loved ones. We salute their service," he said. "We stand with you as one untied American family."
The convention is expected to pump about $12.7 million to the local economy it's Reno's biggest single-week convention of the year. It's expected to draw 10,000 visitors through the time it ends Wednesday.
For more information, go to http://www.vfw.org/
Meanwhile, former presidential candidate Herman Cain will join Americans for Prosperity in Reno for the organization's Rubber Stamp for Failure Bus Tour.
A press release says the event is "designed for conservatives who wish to express their displeasure with President Obama and Congresswoman Shelly Berkley."
Today's event takes place at 3702 South Virginia Street from 4:30pm to 7pm. The event is open the public. For more information, go to http://nvrubberstamp.org/
