Medal of Honor recipient Donald Ballard surprised the audience of the American Legion gathering Wednesday after praising President Donald Trump during his speech.
“There is no greater love than someone that loves this country, and I believe we’ve elected the right leader to lead us out to drain the swamp,” Ballard said after Trump brought him on stage:
Trump called for unity during his speech, urging American citizens to rediscover their patriotism and love of country.
“It is time to heal the wounds that divide us and to seek a new unity based on the common values that unite us,” Trump said. “We are one people with one home and one great flag.”
Trump specifically urged Americans to heal racial, political, and economic divides.
“We are not defined by the color of our skin, the figure on our paycheck, or the party of our politics,” he said.
Trump celebrated the multiple veterans bills that he has signed as president, including one signed on stage after his speech to speed up veterans’ appeals at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). He praised Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin as a “true reformer.”
Trump celebrated the successful reforms for veterans in his short time as president, including a veterans hotline directly to the White House, an accountability law allowing the VA to quickly fire incompetent employees, and publishing on the Internet patient wait times at the VA. The president also praised a bill allowing more flexibility for veterans and their use of the G.I. Bill.