(CNN) – Vice President-elect Joe Biden’s eldest son Beau left his training base in Texas on Wednesday, bound for a year-long tour of duty in Iraq with his Delaware National Guard unit.
The 114 members of the 261st Signal Brigade were training at Fort Bliss, Texas for the past two months ahead of their mobilization to Iraq. Captain Beau Biden, also Delaware’s attorney general, will serve as an assistant Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer in Iraq, enforcing the Uniform Code of Military Justice and helping troops with legal issues back home.
On their way to Iraq, the unit will make two stops before arriving at a staging area outside of Iraq where they will receive additional training and equipment. The location of the staging area is classified, though most U.S. troops stage in Kuwait before going into Iraq.
The Vice President-elect was able to see his son one last time before his mobilization last weekend in Nevada when the unit had ‘R&R’ leave.
Beau was also given special permission to fly to Chicago to join his family on Election Day but declined, instead watching the returns and President-elect Barack Obama’s speech on a laptop at Fort Bliss.
“This is a different brand of kid,” his father remarked to reporters on the flight to Chicago.
Joe Biden often gets emotional when talking about his family and fought back tears during brief remarks at Beau’s deployment ceremony in Dover, Delaware on October 3.
“I’ve come here many times before – as a Delawarean, as a United States senator. But today I come as you prepare to deploy as a father,” Biden told the soldiers and their families gathered in front of the Capitol building. “Like all of the family members that are here today gathered on this green, my heart is full of love and pride.”
“Never before has a Delaware guard unit been deployed that is better qualified,” he added. “You are the best demonstration of both our nation’s greatness and, equally as importantly, our people’s goodness.”
Beau will return to Delaware next September and though he has tried to tamp down speculation, rumors are swirling about the possibility of his running for his father’s Senate seat in 2010.
From CNN Politics
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Why are you doing this, CNN? As if it wasn't enough that Palin made it known to the World of her Son going into IRAQ!
I understood that, as with the son of Prince Charles, that placing a high profile soldier in harm's way in counterproductive. We don't want to have to deal with a ransome for Beau next year when Biden takes the Vice Presidency.
A little off topic - but if it's okay for a vice-president's son and other senators' sons and daughters to be in Iraq, then why don't they let Prince Harry go back? If people want to serve, why not let them? I know having some high profile people in those areas could bring undue attention by the enemy, but Harry was doing okay until that reporter spilled the beans.
Godspeed Beau...our thoughts and prayers go with you and all our servicemen and women deployed throughout the world.
Good luck and Godspeed, Beau. Thank you for your service to our country.
I sincerely hope that all you nasty bloggers out there keep your venom out of this thread.
Wishing you a safe arrival and safe return home. Our prayers are with you.
Say hello to my bro (Lee W) for me.
Matt Drudge blew the cover for Prince Harry, although his defenders say he was not the first to break the news. He needs to keep his nose out of the Bidens' live and let Beau do his service as he is supposed to.
Best of Luck Beau! Godspeed.
Be safe Beau, our prayers are with you and your family at this time along with all the soldiers and their families.
As a fellow vet I say thank you to Beau and the Biden family and may God be with you. Don't forget your Chem light batteries.
Say it ain't so Joe. OMG you mean you are letting your son go to a war your not for? Where is the Political unrest now? You have the power Joe, maybe you can pull a string or two and have him doing something non combative.
lets not get too excited, its not like he's in a combat unit. He's just a lawyer and is at not going to be in harm's way.
Biden has held his tongue about his son going to IRAQ and tried desperately not to make it a big deal. Unlike Palin, she let the entire world know her son is in IRAQ to get sympathy votes. I wish Beau well and hope he comes home soon from this senseless war.
I wish you well Beau and thank you for your service to our country. May God bless you and keep you safe.
God bless you Beau and all the men and women serving our country in places known and unknown.
be safe brave one.
Your a LOT safer with Bush than your going to be when daddy gets into office !!!
Best wishes goes out to Biden and the entire family and to all the brave soldiers who are fighting. May God bless each and every one of you. Be safe!
Family is so much more important. Missed a once in a life time to be with and partake of the great change that is coming. Why for political reason? You dont have to prove nothing only to God and self always know that.
biden's son will never leave the green zone. He is a desk jockey who is there to prosecute marines. Palin's son is with a combat unit. McCain's son was in a combat unit. Brave are you kidding me he isn't fighting in combat. He is less brave than the reporters who go out. Biden's son will be in the green zone the whole time.
I have empathy for Biden re: his son as I have had family who have fought for freedom for America. That is why I am heartbroken that Obama is our President instead of McCain who knows what to do and loves America.
Beau's good character speaks volumes about his parents. God be with Beau and all our brave military throughout the year.
Hey Ron,
Your post shows your ignorance of today's military. I served in a signal battalion as an enlisted man and got shot at too. One no longer has to be infantry, armor or other direct combat specialties
to be in grave danger when deployed over seas.
Biden got five draft deferments even though he was a swimmer and athlete. Biden made up stories how he was shot at in iraq and his plane was forced down in afghanistan.
McCain's son was in a combat unit in iraq but never talked about it. Biden did use his son for politicall points he spoke at the going away ceremony. McCain didn't because he didn't want to use his son.
This comment is for Ron...............you really are showing your ignorance! Having served in Iraq and Afghanistan, you are always in harms way! At some point, he must travel via a convoy into the area. Please stop with the negative comments. How about this, why don't you go to Iraq and let's see how you feel?