Photos: Obama to legionnaires: ‘America will never leave your side’

By Jon Collins
Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at 8:18 am

President Barack Obama vowed to protect and extend veterans support services at a speech to 5,000 members of the American Legion Tuesday in Minneapolis.

While the president spoke inside the Minneapolis Convention Center, protesters outside were concerned with issues ranging from the environment to the war in Afghanistan.

Photojournalist Kathy Easthagen was there to capture Obama’s speech and the audience reaction for the Minnesota Independent.

American Legion member Peter Ole played standards on his electronic organ to entertain the crowd Tuesday morning at the American Legion's 93rd Annual National convention in Minneapolis. Photo: Kathy Easthagen

American Legion members salute the flag Tuesday morning at the Legion's 93rd Annual National Convention in Minneapolis. Photo: Kathy Easthagen

Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger served as the Master of Ceremonies at the American Legion's 93rd Annual National Convention in Minneapolis, Minn. on Tuesday. Ruettiger, who served in the navy during the Vietnam war, was the inspiration for the 1993 movie "Rudy" about his time playing football at Notre Dame. Photo: Kathy Easthagen

Pres. Barack Obama addressed the American Legion's 93rd Annual National Convention Tuesday morning at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Photo: Kathy Easthagen

A Legionnaire takes a picture of the President during his address to the American Legion's 93rd Annual National Convention Tuesday morning in Minneapolis, Minn. Photo: Kathy Easthagen

Pres. Barack Obama said in his speech Tuesday that he planned to create programs that would lead to 100,000 jobs for veterans in the private sector. Photo: Kathy Easthagen for the Minnesota Independent

Audience members watch as the President speaks at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Photo: Kathy Easthagen for the Minnesota Independent

Pres. Barack Obama said that stigmas around soldiers suffering from depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder need to end. Photo: Kathy Easthagen

Legionnaires applaud after Pres. Barack Obama revealed a plan to curb veteran unemployment, which is very high in Minnesota. Photo: Kathy Easthagen

Pres. Barack Obama said it's unacceptable that veterans have routinely had to wait for mental health services and vowed to improve services. Photo: Kathy Easthagen

Members of the American Legion applaud the President. Photo: Kathy Easthagen

Pres. Barack Obama shakes hands with American Legion National Vice Charmain Eugene R. Pytka (Northeast Region) (left) while Miss American Teresa Scanlan looks on. Photo: Kathy Easthagen

President Obama walks over to shake hands with Legionnaires and visiting dignitaries. Photo: Kathy Easthagen

Legionnaires push closer to try to shake Pres. Barack Obama's hand after his remarks to the American Legion's 93rd Annual National Convention at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis on Tuesday morning. Photo: Kathy Easthagen

Fred Hollister, of the Michigan delegation, talks with another Legionnaire following Pres. Barack Obama's remarks Tuesday. Photo: Kathy Easthagen

Doug Haggan (left) and Liem Kane (right), both of the French delegation, add a Eiffel Tower replica and American and French flags to the French Delegation's sign during the break after Pres. Barack Obama's address to the American Legion Tuesday. Photo: Kathy Easthagen