U.S. President Barack Obama says as the war in Iraq comes to an end, the United States has a responsibility to provide for the needs of returning soldiers.
In his weekly address Saturday, the president said the nation's commitment to its soldiers is a "sacred trust" and one that he considers a moral obligation to uphold.
Mr. Obama said his administration is directing resources toward hiring mental health professionals to treat soldiers with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
He also said he has directed the federal government to hire more veterans who are trying to find work in a tough economy.
President Obama is due to deliver an address from the White House Tuesday to mark the end of the U.S. combat mission in Iraq.
Fewer than 50,000 U.S. troops will remain in the country to train Iraqi security forces. All U.S. troops are due to leave by the end of next year.
Some information for this report was provided by AP.
