President Obama spoke with members of the armed services on Thanksgiving, a few days before he will be announcing an increase of more than 30,000 troops to Afghanistan.
The White House said Obama made 10 calls to troops.
He called two service members in each of the five military branches “to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving and to let them know how much Michelle and he are truly thankful for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the nation,” the White House told a pool reporter on holiday duty.
“The calls to the two Army soldiers were both deployed in Afghanistan. The calls to Marines were to one deployed in Iraq and one in Afghanistan (same with the Navy and Air Force). The calls to the Coast Guard went to one deployed in the Arabian Gulf and one in Iraq,” the pool reporter wrote.
Obama on Tuesday will speak from West Point Military Academy to announce his plan – and an exit strategy – for more troops in Afghanistan, complete with an explanation of his rationale in making the decision.
It comes after nine meetings of his War Council and nearly two months of deliberation.
His top Cabinet members dealing with the military and diplomacy will testify on Capitol Hill Wednesday.
