UPDATE: President Obama to address VFW Convention in Phoenix on Monday

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

I previously reported that President Obama will visit Arizona on August 16:

The Obamas will visit the Grand Canyon and Phoenix, said Adam Abrams, western regional press spokesman for the White House. Details of the president's public appearances were not immediately available.

Obama's visit to Arizona will coincide with the national convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars at the Phoenix Convention Center from Aug. 15 to 23, fueling speculation the commander in chief will make an appearance.

Well, speculate no more. President Obama will address the VFW Convention in Phoenix on Monday. Obama to address veterans' convention in Phoenix:

President Barack Obama will speak Monday before the Veterans of Foreign Wars national convention in Phoenix, the White House announced Wednesday as details of his upcoming trip to Arizona continue to trickle out.

"President Obama will be discussing our responsibility to maintain the world's finest military in the 21st century, to give our troops and veterans the care, the benefits and the respect that they have earned," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said.

Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha will arrive Saturday from Grand Junction, Colorado. The family intends to visit the Grand Canyon on Sunday.

Gibbs said he doubted Obama would take questions at the closed-to-the-public VFW gathering at the downton Phoenix Convention Center.

"It is a time-honored tradition for the commander-in-chief of our nation's armed forces to address the national convention of America's largest organization of combat veterans, which celebrates its 110th anniversary next month," VFW National Commander and Vietnam War veteran Glen M. Gardner Jr. said in a written statement.

"We are grateful to President Obama for taking the time to speak to us on issues that are vitally important to our nation's veterans, her military and their families."