Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney put politics aside today when he addressed a hall of 4,000 National Guard Members in Reno. Romney told the group he'll never forget the role they played during the 9/11 attacks in 2001.
"It was National Guardsmen and women who secured out airports and our borders and who prepared to deploy a half a world away," Romney said during his 18 minute long speech.
Romney says today is about expressing gratitude to those who protect us, not about disagreeing with President Obama on policies. "It is instead a day to express gratitude for the men and women who fought, and who are still fighting to protect us and our country, including those who trace the trail of terror to that wall wall of compound in Abbottabad and the SEALS who delivered justice to Osama bin Laden."
And while not in campaign style, he did make the case that military funding is a key to prosperity in America's future.
"We can always find places to cut waste," he said. "But we can't continue to cut program after program. We can't jeopardize critical missions and we can't cut money for equipment and training of our men and women in uniform!"
He also made the point that veterans benefits are not a gift to be given but a debt due.
And he told of his own interaction with the National Guard in his own state, saying that after a visit to the Middle East he made 63 phone calls to family member in Massachusetts.
And that is just what the crowd wanted to hear.
Brigadier General Dick Harris was pleased with the balance.
"He touched on our organization and made the connection with his own National Guard. And he left the campaign out of it, which was nice," he said.
"I think it was good," said Master Sergeant Janice Witt from Georgia. "He basically gave credit to us as Guard Members and how hard we work and he really did recognize what we do. That was nice."
The Republican nominee has spoken at the NGAUS conference five consecutive election years.
Friday morning, Republican Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan spoke at Peterbilt Truck Parts and Equipment in Sparks.
Meanwhile, President Obama will be in Las Vegas on Wednesday. There's no word yet on if and when he will return to Reno.
President Obama and his wife took part in moments of silence at the White House and at the Pentagon, where he met with victims' families. Vice President Joe Biden attended a memorial service at the site where one of the hijacked planes went down.
Written by Erin Breen
