Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., campaigned in Charleston on Monday, the day before West Virginia decided that opponent Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, should be the Democratic nominee for President. This is only the second time Obama has visited West Virginia since launching his campaign.

Although Clinton was favored to win West Virginia, Obama clinched the superdelegate lead on Monday. One of West Virginia's own superdelegates, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, said he felt "liberated" after announcing his endorsement of Obama.

"I love the word that's used about him so much - 'authentic,'" said Rockefeller said. "I know Barack Obama is sick of Washington politics as usual."

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Kenny Kemp

Barack Obama addresses a crowd of about 1,500 at the Charleston Civic Center on Monday.

"They [American troops] deserve our admiration, respect and enduring gratitude," Obama told the crowd of approximately 1,500 at the Charleston Civic Center.

Though many disagree with the way the Iraq War was waged, Obama believes that America has a duty to the soldiers who have fought or are fighting there.

"The true test of our patriotism is whether we will serve our returning heroes as well as they've served us," he said.

Obama spoke of an 89-year-old World War II veteran in South Carolina who was repeatedly turned down by Veterans Affairs. He took his own life outside of an outpatient clinic in Greenville.

"How can we let this happen? How is that acceptable in the United States of America? The answer is its not. It's an outrage," said Obama. "And it's a betrayal of the ideals that we ask our troops to risk their lives for."

Obama believes the best way to change veteran's healthcare is to build a 21st century Veterans Affairs administration. Such a VA would include electronic medical records upon discharge from the military, fully funded VA health care, and more veterans centers - particularly in rural areas.

Obama also spoke of his grandfather's experiences in World War II. After serving in the military, Stanley Dunham attended college on the GI Bill of Rights and bought a house on loan from the Federal Housing Administration.

Obama hopes our current military will be able to take advantage of the same things the government offered to soldiers from Dunham's generation. He noted that skyrocketing tuition rates prevent men and women who serve in the military from pursuing a college education.

Although Clinton was favored to win West Virginia, Obama clinched the superdelegate lead on Monday. One of West Virginia's own superdelegates, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, said he felt "liberated" after announcing his endorsement of Obama.

"I love the word that's used about him so much - 'authentic,'" said Rockefeller said. "I know Barack Obama is sick of Washington politics as usual."

Rockefeller added that he doesn't know of anyone who wants change for America more than Obama. And a big change Obama wants to make is in veterans' health care.

"They [American troops] deserve our admiration, respect and enduring gratitude," Obama told the crowd of approximately 1,500 at the Charleston Civic Center.

Though many disagree with the way the Iraq War was waged, Obama believes that America has a duty to the soldiers who have fought or are fighting there.

"The true test of our patriotism is whether we will serve our returning heroes as well as they've served us," he said.

Obama spoke of an 89-year-old World War II veteran in South Carolina who was repeatedly turned down by Veterans Affairs. He took his own life outside of an outpatient clinic in Greenville.

"How can we let this happen? How is that acceptable in the United States of America? The answer is its not. It's an outrage," said Obama. "And it's a betrayal of the ideals that we ask our troops to risk their lives for."

Obama believes the best way to change veteran's healthcare is to build a 21st century Veterans Affairs administration. Such a VA would include electronic medical records upon discharge from the military, fully funded VA health care, and more veterans centers - particularly in rural areas.

Obama also spoke of his grandfather's experiences in World War II. After serving in the military, Stanley Dunham attended college on the GI Bill of Rights and bought a house on loan from the Federal Housing Administration.

Obama hopes our current military will be able to take advantage of the same things the government offered to soldiers from Dunham's generation. He noted that skyrocketing tuition rates prevent men and women who serve in the military from pursuing a college education.

"It is time for the United States of America to offer this returning generation of heroes the same thanks we offered that earlier, Greatest Generation - by giving every veteran the same opportunity that my grandfather had under the GI Bill."

A 21st century GI Bill of Rights is being debated in Congress. Introduced by Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., "it would provide every returning veteran with a real chance to afford a college education, and it would not harm retention," Obama said.

"His plan has widespread support from Republicans and Democrats," Obama noted.

In fact, very few senators do not support this bill. However, Republican presidential candidate John McCain, R-Ariz., is among those few.

"I have great respect for John McCain and his service to this country," Obama said. "I know he loves it dearly and honors those who serve. But he is one of the few senators of either party who opposes this bill because he thinks it's too generous. I couldn't disagree more."

In addition to updating the VA and GI Bill, Obama also hopes to address the issue of veterans' mental health. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is the "signature" injury of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

"We have to understand that for far too many troops and their families, the war doesn't end when they come home," Obama said.

According to one of the government's top psychiatrists, inadequate mental health care for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan has caused a suicide rate that may soon exceed the number of combat deaths of both wars.

"We have to do better than this," Obama said. "When I am president, we'll enhance mental health-care screening and treatment at all levels. We also need more mental health professionals, more training to recognize and reject the stigma of seeking care."

Now, Obama supporters in West Virginia can only wait to see whether or not their candidate will have the chance to carry out these changes and others he desires.

Four state primaries remain - Kentucky, Oregon, Montana and South Dakota. Then, it's approximately another two-month wait before the Democratic presidential candidate will officially be announced at the Democratic National Convention held in Denver in late August.