On Monday, President Biden addressed a packed Arlington National Cemetery to commemorate Memorial Day, paying mournful tribute to members of the armed forces lost in conflict.
“We gather at this sacred place at this solemn moment to remember and honor the sacrifice of the hundreds of thousands of women and men who have given their lives to this nation,” Biden stated. “Each one is literally a link in the chain of honor stretching back to our founding days, each one bound by a common commitment not to a place, not to a person, not to a president, but to an idea unlike any idea in human history: the idea of the United States of America.”
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The president also mentioned his own son, Beau Biden, who died in 2015 of brain cancer, which was thought to be caused by exposure to harmful chemicals while serving in the Iraq War.
“I know it hurts,” Biden told the families of deceased veterans. “The pain is still present.” Still raw. This week marks nine years since I lost my son, Beau.
“The pain of his loss is with me every day, as it is with you,” he continued. “Still crisp. It’s still evident. But so is the pride I have in my service. AHis words, ‘It’s my responsibility, Dad,’ still echo in my mind. t is my duty.”
First Lady Jill Biden, Vice President Harris, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. CQ Brown Jr. joined Biden at Arlington.
The president used the speech to emphasize his dedication to veterans, citing his track record of supporting policies that benefit military members and their families.
“Since I took office, I’ve signed over 30 bipartisan laws supporting servicemen, veterans and their families, caregivers, and survivors,” added the president. “Last year, VA delivered more benefits and processed more claims than ever in our history.”
“I’ve long said we have many obligations as a nation,” he remarked. “We only have one truly sacred obligation: prepare those we send to the battle, and take care of their families when they come home and when they don’t.”
Dozens of legislative leaders expressed similar sentiments in social media posts on Monday, the 156th anniversary of the day, with messages of remembering and thanks.
Biden’s words contrast sharply with those of his general election competitor, former President Donald Trump. Following a Truth Social post with a graphic honoring the fallen, Trump slammed Biden and the judges supervising his legal battles, calling those who oppose him “human scum.”
