Prince Harry Meets the Obamas, Promotes Support for Wounded Veterans

It was all about a cause close to his heart for Prince Harry on his flying visit to the East Coast of the United States today, as he met with the Obamas and visited wounded veterans.

The Prince stopped at the White House for a meeting with First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr Jill Biden, the wife of the Vice President, before the trio headed down to Virginia to visit the Fort Belvoir military base where they met with wounded American soldiers and their families, were shown around the rehab facility on the base (which include music therapy rooms) and watched a game of wheelchair basketball. The visit was the official launch of the 2016 Invictus Games, to be held in May next year in Florida.

Prince Harry delivered a speech at the event, telling the crowd about what made him want to help soldiers wounded, physically and mentally, in combat. “Returning to the UK after my first deployment, I shared the flight home with three critically injured British soldiers, all in induced comes, and the body of a Danish soldier, killed in action…this flight was one of many, carrying home men and women whose lives would be changed forever, and some who had made the ultimate sacrifice. From that moment, I knew I had a responsibility to help all veterans, who had made huge personal sacrifices to their countries, to lead healthy and dignified lives after service,” he said.

In the afternoon, it was back to the White House for Harry, and a meeting with President Barack Obama in the Oval Office. The two had a private meeting in which they discussed the 2016 Invictus Games and what more can be done to support wounded veterans, before they met with the press. The President described the Games as bringing attention to the “sacrifices they’ve [wounded veterans] made, but also the incredible contributions, strength, and courage they continue to display,” and praised Prince Harry’s involvement in the cause.

Harry’s final events in the United States were a board meeting for the 2016 Invictus Games and a reception at the British Ambassador’s residence.

Filed under The United Kingdom
Tagged Health, Invictus Games, Michelle Obama, President Obama of the United States, Prince Harry of Wales, United States of America, Veterans, Working Visit.

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