President Obama: American combat troops will not fight on foreign soil
Military families tuned in to watch President Barack Obama address the nation about how he plans to fight ISIS.
Obama said he plans to target the terrorists with air strikes. He said he will not put American combat troops on the ground. However, he did acknowledge there are still risks.
“Any time we take military action, there are risks involved, especially to our service men and women who carry out these missions,” said Obama.
Maria Keel watched the address while her five children played around the house. Her husband has served four deployments overseas and currently serves as an officer in the army.
Her husband joined the military shortly before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He was deployed overseas when terrorists flew planes into the twin towers in New York City.
“I remember thinking, what does this mean for us? He is already gone. What does this mean?” said Keel. “The news was my friend. A lot of wives would say, don’t watch it but I had to, it was the only connection we had.”
She was apprehensive before Obama took to the podium. She wanted to find out two things. First, she wanted to know if the U.S. is safe from threats from ISIS. Second, she wanted to know what could be in store for active duty military, like her husband.
“You want clear cut answers. You want to hear, we are going to do this, it’s always so open ended,” said Keel. “I would really like some clear cut answers, some phrases like “we will protect you.”
Obama said the U.S. will lead a coalition of countries in the fight against ISIS. He also said the U.S. will take down ISIS with airstrikes, but not troops on the ground.
“I just don’t know if that will be enough. And if its not, and it turns into combat troops on the ground, it will mean war for us because my husband will have to go along with them,” said Keel.
Keel said she does not always see eye-to-eye with Obama. She was surprised by her reaction at the end of his speech.
“That was probably the best speech I have ever heard him give,” said Keel.
She said she felt more confident in the U.S.’s plan to fight ISIS.
On social media sites leading up to the address, some users said they would watch other programs instead of Obama’s speech.
“I feel sad for people who are not watching this. It’s just un-American not to,” said Keel. “There will always be evil in the world. There will always be someone who wants to take America down. And that’s the price we pay for being free.”
