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Obama will visit military hospital, finally

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor May 28, 2009 10:58 AM

President Obama, who took some grief for cancelling a visit to a military hospital in Germany during his triumphant European tour last summer, will get there a year later.

The White House announced this morning that Obama "will visit wounded warriors and their families at Landstuhl Regional Medical Facility" next Friday, the same day he plans to visit the Buchenwald concentration camp.

"Landstuhl supports our service men and women stationed in Europe, and serves a leading and vital role in the care and recovery of personnel medically evacuated from Afghanistan, Iraq, and other forward-deployed posts within the U.S. European Command, Central Command and Africa Command areas of responsibility," the White House announcement said.

There was confusion and conflicting accounts of why Obama nixed his visit last July. His campaign said he didn't want to make a political visit during the height of the presidential campaign.

Republican rival John McCain bashed him on the issue, putting out a TV ad that said, "He made time to go to the gym, but cancelled a visit with wounded troops. Seems the Pentagon wouldn't allow him to bring cameras. John McCain is always there for our troops."

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Yes Foon, Obama is quite triumphant when he is in Europe. Kind of like he began wearing a flag pin after his triumphant announcement to run for president. Like he will bring the troops home after we are triumphant in the middle east. Only he will be lauded, unlike Bush who has been vilified.

Posted by obama ad infinity May 28, 09 11:45 AM
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If Obumma knew he was going to run for president, why didn't he join the military? After all, if one is going to lead, this is the way it should be- lead by example.

It certainly appears as though he's been reduced to the role of an admin who constantly touts that his grandfather was in the military. Really? And, my mother and your mother were both mothers.

Posted by anonymous May 28, 09 11:57 AM
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I can't stand this hypocrite. When is this nightmare going to be over?

Posted by gb May 28, 09 11:59 AM
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Triumphant?!?!?!?!? No bias here! Thank God, The Boston Globe subscribes to fundamental rules of journalism. Am I still allowed to say God and believe? What's next? Calling him "Dear Leader".

Posted by JuanPeron May 28, 09 12:17 PM
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oh, yah Bush was a great military man who managed to get out of actually fighting anywhere... wonder how that happened

Posted by Jamie V May 28, 09 12:36 PM
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Ever mind visiting---wheres the money for opur medical costs? Obama is all talk nothing substantial is ever said foir the well being of us poor people> Drugs in Massachusettts state House wenr t on for yearts!!! Democrats did nothing

Posted by Jay May 28, 09 12:56 PM
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what a bunch of drama queens you guys are, get over yourselves....go Obama....eight more years....eight more years

Posted by john May 28, 09 12:59 PM
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I forgot to mention the real reason I dislike Obama is his race and that GWBush avoided combat duty by "serving" in the air force reserve and never showing up. Also I have nowhere else to vent my frustrations about my failed life so I blame a successful person like Obama who doesn't start wars and put our soldiers in harm's way to help my daddy's oil business.

Posted by anonymous May 28, 09 01:05 PM
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Great reporting guys..."Obama..who took some grief", "there was some confusion..why Obama nixed his visit last July". Does the Globe ever just write a story stating the facts anymore? Once the Globe is shut down I think every last employee in that building should be required to go back to school pass Journalism 101 before the state gives them unemployment.

Posted by Todd The Bod May 28, 09 09:50 PM
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