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President Obama delivers remarks at the dedication of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial near the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Sunday. (Reuters)

President Obama paid tribute Sunday to America's disabled veterans, saying the country must "move heaven and earth" to make sure they get the benefits they deserve and warned against rushing into war unless it is absolutely necessary.

Obama, speaking at the dedication of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol, did not overtly mention the scandal involving the Department of Veterans Affairs over wait times for accessing care or his decision to open up a military campaign against the Islamic State militant group in Iraq and Syria.

But the specter of war and supporting those going into it and thanking, honoring and taking care of those returning from it with wounds both mental and physical imbued the somber speech. Obama acknowledged the "painful truth" that the country had not always supported its veterans and said memorials such as this one are a step forward toward fulfilling what he has called a solemn, critical obligation.

"In the United States of America, those who have fought for our freedom should never be shunned and should never be forgotten, Obama said, standing near a reflecting pool with a flame in the middle that is part of the memorial, which sits adjacent to the Botanic Garden.

"When our wounded veterans set out on that long road of recovery, we need to move heaven and earth to make sure they get every single benefit, every single bit of care that they have earned, that they deserve," Obama said.

The memorial, which has been 16 years in the making, is the first in the country to specifically honor disabled veterans. Eighteen quotes from veterans and their families are etched into the glass panels, bronze sculptures and granite walls.

"If you want to see the character of our country, a country that never quits, look at these men and women," Obama said to the 3,100 people gathered on a sparkling fall day, many of them in wheelchairs or with lost limbs.At one point he asked those who have been wounded in battle to stand or raise their hands; hundreds of people did so.

Obama came into office vowing to end wars and made mention of the fact that the combat mission in Afghanistan is to wind down at the end of this year. But he started another offensive last month, authorizing military action against the Islamic State in Syria. He did the same in Iraq in August. As he has in the past including to the annual convention of the American Legion in August Obama warned against engaging in war unless there was a clear, pressing reason to do so.

"Lets never rush into war because it is Americas sons and daughters who bear the scars of war for the rest of their lives. Let us only send them into harms way when its absolutely necessary. And if we do, lets always give them the strategy, the mission and the support that they need to get the job done," Obama said. Whenthe mission is over, he said. "let us stand united as Americans and welcome our veterans home with the thanks and respect they deserve."

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Obama: Heaven and earth must be moved to help disabled veterans

Published October 06, 2014

President Obama is expected to meet with top health and security officials on Monday to consider whether to launch additional screening at U.S. airports for some travelers arriving from Ebola-stricken African nations.

Two top U.S. health officials confirmed to Fox News on Monday that they were looking at those options as they try to contain the Ebola virus.

"What will be discussed at the White House is the issue of entry screening," Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said.

He explained that the first line of defense right now is for travelers to be screened when they attempt to leave the affected African nations. Officials have said dozens of travelers have been stopped from boarding this way after they exhibited symptoms at these departure points.

Fauci said the president and his team are now looking at imposing an extra layer of screening -- by instituting new measures at U.S. airports.

"That's certainly open for discussion," he said.

Dr. Tom Frieden, of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also confirmed that officials are "looking at those possibilities and others as well."

He confirmed the extra screening might include asking travelers who they had contact with and checking to see if they have a fever.

Obama is scheduled to get the update on the Ebola outbreak Monday afternoon from his national security team and other senior officials.

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Obama, advisers weigh extra Ebola screening for travelers at US airports

Published October 05, 2014

Oct. 5, 2014: President Obama at the dedication of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, near the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, D.C.(REUTERS)

President Obama paid tribute Sunday to disabled U.S. veterans, acknowledging that the country has at times failed to repay their service and vowing to never lead them into pointless battle.

For more than two centuries, Americans have left everything they have known and loved ... to win our independence, he said. As a nation, we have not always fulfilled our obligations to those who served in our name.This is a painful truth. And few have known this better than our veterans wounded in war.

Obama spoke at the opening ceremony for the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, at the base of Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C.

Maybe it was there on the battlefield, as the bullets and shrapnel rained down around you.Maybe it was as you lay there, the medics tending to your wounds, Obama told those in attendance, including many veterans, some of whom were in wheelchairs. Whatever your story, it was the moment that binds each of you forever -- that moment of realization that life would not be the same. Your foot, your hand, your arm, your leg your peace of mind. A part of you was gone.

Though the president made clear that Americas sometimes unfulfilled obligation to veterans dates back to the Revolutionary War, his comments came just months after revelations about backlogs at Veterans Affairs hospitals that resulted in staffers creating bogus waiting lists to conceal the extent of the delays.

Obama's remarks also came in the aftermath of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and amid concerns that the United States will send combat troops into Iraq and Syria to destroy the Islamic State.

"This memorial is a challenge to all of us, a reminder of the obligations this country is under, Obama said to the estimated crowd of 3,100. If we are to truly honor these veterans, we must heed the voices that speak to us here. Let's never rush into war, because it is America's sons and daughters who bear the scars of war for the rest of their lives. Let us only send them into harm's way when it's absolutely necessary."

The memorial was organized by philanthropist Lois Pope, former Veterans Affairs Secretary Jesse Brown and Art Wilson, who retired as chief executive and national adjutant of the Disabled American Veterans organization in 2013. The group first started work on creating the granite-and-steel monument in the late 1990s and raised more than $80 million for its construction. It features a star-shaped fountain and ceremonial flame surrounded by a grove of trees.

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Obama vows to never lead troops into pointless battle

Originally published October 6, 2014 at 6:08 AM | Page modified October 6, 2014 at 6:58 AM

President Barack Obama paid tribute to disabled U.S. veterans on Sunday, pointing to the dedication of a new memorial honoring those severely injured in war as a symbol of the nation's perseverance and character.

Obama marked the opening of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, which honors disabled veterans both living and deceased from conflicts throughout the nation's history. The president said the memorial would commemorate two centuries of Americans who have stepped forward to serve, leaving behind loved ones, and returned home forever altered by war.

"America, if you want to know what real strength is, if you want to see the character of our country, a country that never quits, look at these men and women," Obama told more than 3,100 people gathered at the dedication.

The monument of granite and glass near the U.S. Capitol opened as the U.S. disentangles itself from more than a decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, where about 50,000 military personnel have been injured in conflict. In recent months, Obama has grappled with the rise of the Islamic State group militants now wreaking havoc in Iraq and in neighboring Syria.

Obama said the nation has not always fulfilled its obligations to those who serve -- calling it a "painful truth" -- and said the memorial would remind the country of its debt to its veterans and those serving in the military.

"This memorial is a challenge to all of us, a reminder of the obligations this country is under. If we are to truly honor these veterans we must heed the voices that speak to us here. Let's never rush into war, because it is America's sons and daughters who bear the scars of war for the rest of their lives," Obama said. "Let us only send them into harm's way when it's absolutely necessary."

The memorial was organized by philanthropist Lois Pope, former Veterans Affairs secretary Jesse Brown and Art Wilson, who retired as CEO and national adjutant of the Disabled American Veterans organization in 2013. The group first started work on creating the memorial in the late 1990s and raised more than $80 million for its construction.

The monument features a star-shaped fountain and ceremonial flame surrounded by a grove of trees. It is located behind the U.S. Botanic Garden near the Rayburn House Office Building.

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Obama dedicates memorial honoring wounded veterans

President Obama Praises Congressional Leaders For Government Shutdown Agreemen
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President Obama Praises Congressional Leaders For Government Shutdown Agreemen - Video