Biden Bids Farewell to Son’s Guard Unit as They Deploy for Iraq
EmailABC News’ Matt Jaffe Reports: Fresh off Thursday’s vice-presidential debate in St. Louis, Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., made a midnight return to his home state to see off his son and the rest of the 261st Signal Brigade Friday morning as the troops get set to deploy to Iraq.
Biden has regularly spoken at these National Guard deployment ceremonies since 9-11, but this time, Biden paused when he stepped up to the podium, staring out at the troops standing in formation straight in front of him, this time a unit clad in fatigues that included his eldest son, Beau, Delaware’s state attorney general and captain in the Guard.
"I have come here many times before as a Delawarean, as a United States senator," Biden said on the mall in front of the state capital in Dover. "But today I come as you prepare to deploy as a father, a father who got some sage advice from his son this morning: ‘Dad, keep it short, we’re in formation.’ I always listen to my general."
And keep it short the senator did, leaving him more time to spend with his son before Beau leaves later this weekend for training in Ft. Bliss, Texas, and then onto Iraq.
"So let me simply say, like all of the family members that are here today gathered on this green, my heart is full of love and pride," Biden continued. "My wife Jill and I and our whole family, like every family member here, have hearts full of love and pride. We take comfort in the knowledge that you are the best trained, best prepared group of citizen soldiers our country and this state has ever sent into harm’s way."
Among the family members in the audience at the sun-drenched ceremony were Biden’s wife Jill; his son Hunter and daughter-in-law Kathleen and their three children; his daughter Ashley; and Beau’s wife Hallie and their two children Natalie and Hunter. Beau Biden’s in-laws, Ron and Joan Olivere, were also in attendance.
"You are the best demonstration of both our nation’s greatness and, equally as importantly, our people’s goodness," Biden told the 115 troops. "As you serve, and look out for your brothers and sisters in arms, your families here at home, I promise you, we’ll look out for one another."
And with that, Biden wrapped up his brief remarks.
"So let me simply say thank you," the senator concluded. "Thank you for answering the call of your country. Thank you for doing what brave women and men have always done in uniform and always do. So stand strong, stand together, serve honorably. Come home to your families that love you. May God bless you and may He protect you."
The senator then saluted the troops and returned to his seat on stage.
Following the speeches of Biden and other elected officials such as Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner and Sen. Tom Carper, the Pipes and Drums of the Delaware Valley band played as Biden descended the stage to meet up with his family gathered in the audience, bagpipes blasting as the troops and their families congregated on the green.
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I have always admired Joe Biden and his grasp of issues and his loving parenthood. I can think of no better Vice President for our country.
Posted by: Colorado Dem | October 3, 2008, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm
Lets keep the comments nice on this post people.
Be respectful.
Posted by: Matt | October 3, 2008, 2:05 pm 2:05 pm
I can think of another VP that would be great for our country and SHE said good bye to her son, going off to serve in Iraq about 4 weeks ago.
Did Biden cry like he usualy does, and the press looks the other way? He cried with tissues three days after he was announced as VP and two more times since. CAN YOU IMAGINE IF GOV. PALIN EVER SHED A TEAR? Ripped to shreds she’d be.
McCain/Palin, although I like Biden…I just can’t stand their top of the ticket..NEVER OBAMA
Posted by: DLM | October 3, 2008, 2:11 pm 2:11 pm
John Berman of ABC News accused Mrs Palin of politicizing her son’s deployment when she spoke at a similar ceremony. I guess it’s only political when a Republican does it. What a joke. None of the candidates should be criticized for speaking at such an event.
Posted by: ricky | October 3, 2008, 2:30 pm 2:30 pm
Senator Joseph Biden you are every bit qualified to serve, not only as VP, but as the Commander in Chief.
I support you and salute you.
Posted by: proud to be an american | October 3, 2008, 2:52 pm 2:52 pm
Dear Sen. Biden, I’ll pray with my heart and soul for the safety of your son and the sons and daughters of other families.
God bless all soldiers!
Posted by: leighg1 | October 3, 2008, 3:49 pm 3:49 pm
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS. GOD BLESS PRESIDENT BUSH. GOD BLESS AMERICA.
I watched the debate between Governor Palin (5 weeks of national debate experience) versus Senator Biden (35 years of national debate experience).
Obviously, she is a quick study. Just imagine what she will be like after four years as vice president! She has been a Mayor and a Governor. She is more qualified than anyone running.
John McCain showed great judgment in choosing her.
It’s too bad the DNC and biased media didn’t “select” Biden or Hillary. OBAMA HAS BASED HIS ENTIRE CAMPAIGN ON LIES. HE HAS TOO MANY TIES TO TERRORISTS AND ANTI-AMERICANS. DON’T FORGET “God Damn America” JEREMIAH WRIGHT, PFLEGER, FARRAKHAN, AYERS, REZKO (TO NAME A FEW). BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA IS A DANGER TO OUR COUNTRY. Obama’s ties to organizations like “ACORN” caused much of the country’s mortgage foreclosure issues. ACORN IS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR “VOTER FRAUD” IN MANY STATES! Obama is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
I’m voting for the Honorable John McCain in November.
STOP THE DRAMA – NO OBAMA!
GET A BRAIN – VOTE McCAIN!
Posted by: REPLACE DO-NOTHING DEMS IN CONGRESS | October 3, 2008, 7:42 pm 7:42 pm
Re comments from Ricky and DLM: I find your comments to be inappropriate, at the very least. The tone and tenor of your words tell me that you are both persons with little integrity or compassion.
My son is a member of one of our branches of service, and as a parent, it is difficult to hold back the tears, especially when you know that there is a grave chance that your child may not return home to you.
Senator Biden should not be expected to withhold his emotions, or be held to any higher standard than that which would be expected of any other family member who will be saying farewell to their loved one, just because he is the current vice-presidential nominee.
Further, he did not grandstand this day in any political vein, whatsoever, or use it as a platform, as did Gov. Palin at her son’s ceremony.
What respect I did hold for Gov. Palin was lost last night, when she made no attempt to share in Sen. Biden’s sentiment of compassion for his son leaving, as did her son.
My thoughts and prayers are with both the Biden and Palin families, as well as with their colleagues and their families.
Posted by: Mickey | October 3, 2008, 7:42 pm 7:42 pm
My comments are directed to:
Ricky, DLM and
REPLACE DO-NOTHING DEMS IN CONGRESS
I am appalled at the lack of refinement and sensitivity in your comments.
Are you Americans? Ask yourself, you say you love your country, yet you seem to hate half those living in it? What does it mean to you, to say you love your country? Ask yourself.
The blog was about Senator Biden’s son deploying to Iraq, (as did Governor Palin’s Son as Well as Senator McCain’s.)
Is this not a moment in time to hold your peace? A moment of silence? Of wisdom? A break in the incessant stream of venom that is part and parcel of “silly season in politics”.
More and more I become despairing of the lack of reason, intellect, wisdom and compassion in Americans… more and more…
I was an independent woman voter who was undecided until yesterday. I like Mickey lost all respect for Governor Palin when she made no attempt to acknowledge Senator Biden’s pain. That moment to me, was the only authentic moment of the debate.
She lost my vote.
My prayers are with the Obama, Biden, McCain and Palin families. I pray for all of them. May who wins serve wisely.
Posted by: Zoidie | October 4, 2008, 12:50 am 12:50 am
God Bless our troops and all veterans.
Posted by: Christie | October 4, 2008, 2:15 am 2:15 am
Just like to point out that Beau Biden is not a combat soldier but a military lawyer. ABC’s Matt Jaffe tries to mislead his readers/viewers into thinking young Biden is a combat officer; typical of the ethics of the news racket.
Beau Biden’ll be in a safe base somewhere, safer than home (no drunk drivers!); and his fellow staff judge advocates have not exactly done us a world of good to date.
Still — he did man up and go. And with his JD it would have taken considerable effort for him to get the military to let him do anything else. You can’t dislike him or his father for that, and I’m sure it will be hard on all his extended family while he’s gone. Here’s wishing him a safe return, but let’s not pretend he’s fighting the war. He isn’t.
Posted by: Kevin O'Brien | October 4, 2008, 3:14 pm 3:14 pm
Biden( MR.MBNA )is fake. His son is a lawer and serving as a lawer. What’s he going to get a paper cut? Palins son is the real deal. Obama’s Crazy Crew can promise the sun. Let’s get real! Stop letting the elite beltway media tell you who you should vote for. Check out PitbullPalin.org to show your vote.
Posted by: Johnathan Glen | October 4, 2008, 7:09 pm 7:09 pm
Here’s more to see what O’Bambi will do for you.
INTERESTING DATA JUST RECEIVED ON TAXES
>
> Spread the word…..
>
> This is something you should be
> aware of so you don’t get blind-sided.
> This is really going to catch a lot
> of families off guard. It should
> make you worry.
>
> Proposed changes in taxes after 2008 General election:
>
> CAPITAL GAINS TAX
>
> MCCAIN
> 0% on home sales up to $500,000
> per home (couples) McCain does not
> propose any change in existing
> home sales income tax.
>
> OBAMA
> 28% on profit from ALL home sales
>
> How does this affect you?
> If you sell your home and make a profit, you
> will pay 28% of your gain on taxes.
> If you are heading toward retirement
> and would like to down-size your
> home or move into a retirement
> community, 28% of the money you
> make from your home will go to taxes. This
> proposal will adversely affect the
> elderly who are counting on the income
> from their homes as part of their retirement income.
>
> DIVIDEND TAX
>
> MCCAIN 15% (no change)
>
> OBAMA 39.6%
>
> How will this affect you?
> If you have any money invested in stock
> market, IRA, mutual funds,
> college funds, life insurance, retirement
> accounts, or anything that pays
> or reinvests dividends, you will now
> be paying nearly 4 0% of the money
> earned on taxes if Obama become president.
> The experts predict that ‘higher
> tax rates on dividends and capital gains
> would crash the stock market yet
> do absolutely nothing to cut the deficit.
>
> INCOME TAX
>
> MCCAIN (no changes)
>
> Single making 30K – tax $4,500
> Single making 50K – tax $12,500
> Single making 75K – tax $18,750
> Married making 60K- tax $9,000
> Married making 75K – tax $18,750
> Married making 125K – tax $31,250
>
> OBAMA
> (reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts)
> Single making 30K – tax $8,400
> Single making 50K – tax $14,000
> Single making 75K – tax $23,250
> Married making 60K – tax $16,800
> Married making 75K – tax $21,000
> Married making 125K – tax $38,750
>
> Under Obama your taxes will
> more than double!
> How does this affect you? No explanation
> needed. This is pretty
> straight forward.
>
> INHERITANCE TAX
>
> MCCAIN 0% (No change, Bush repealed this tax)
>
> OBAMA Restore the inheritance tax
>
> How does this affect you? Many families
> have lost businesses,
> farms and ranches, and homes
> that have
> been in their families
> for generations because they could not
> afford the inheritance tax.
> Those willing their assets to loved
> ones will not only lose them tothese taxes.
>
> NEW TAXES BEING PROPOSED BY OBAMA
>
> * New government taxes proposed on
> homes that are more than
> 2400 square feet
>
> * New gasoline taxes (as if
> gas weren’t high enough already)
>
> * New taxes on natural resources
> consumption (heating
> gas, water, electricity)
>
> * New taxes on retirement accounts
> and last but not least….
>
> * New taxes to pay for socialized medicine
> so we can receive the same
> level of medical care as other
> third-world countries!!!
Posted by: NEEDED INFO | October 4, 2008, 7:16 pm 7:16 pm
NEEDED INFO is obviously about as low a low life as it gets. I’m tired of getting those spam e-mail in my mailbox, and even more tired of seeing them here, particularly since they original were a comparison between Obama and Clinton. They just replaced “Clinton” with “McCain” and kept blasting them out. Totally fake and made up numbers, and just more fear tactics by desperate low lives.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/taxes.asp
Posted by: RedNeckBob | October 5, 2008, 1:22 am 1:22 am