Obama to address American Legion on Aug. 30

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will address thousands of veterans and their families at the American Legion's national convention in Minneapolis on Aug. 30.

It will be his first time addressing the veterans' organization in person. Obama recorded a video message that was played at the Legion's 2009 convention.

Jimmie Foster, the American Legion's national commander, says the group wants to hear about the administration's vision for the economy, national security and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The war in Afghanistan is also likely to be of interest. Obama announced last month that 33,000 U.S. troops will return from Afghanistan by next summer. Ten thousand of those troops are to leave by the end of 2011. Obama said the pullout would begin this month but his commanders will decide the details.