Monday, February 6, 2012

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama will host a Feb. 29 dinner at the White House honoring members of the armed forces who served in Iraq.

White House spokesman Jay Carney announced the event Monday
during his briefing for reporters.

Carney said the dinner will focus on men and women who served in Iraq in combat and non-combat operations since the war began in March of 2003.

American military involvement ended in Iraq in December. Since then there has been a public debate about the lack of fanfare over the return of Iraq veterans. The first major parade for Iraq veterans occurred Jan. 28 in St. Louis, prompting at least 10 other cities around the country to consider similar celebrations.