Biden sends off son's National Guard unit
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/10/03/art.biden.deployment.ap.jpg caption="Joe Biden sends off his son's National Guard unit."]
DOVER, Delaware (CNN) – Joe Biden spoke briefly but emotionally Friday morning at the deployment ceremony for his son Beau’s Iraq-bound National Guard unit.
“I’ve come here many times before,” Biden told the 261st Signal Brigade as they stood in formation. “As a Delawarean, as a United States senator. 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.
Watch: Biden sends off son, troops
“I always listen to my general,” he continued. “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 didn’t get as choked up as he has in the past when talking about his family, but did show the emotion often seen on the campaign trail; his two-and-a-half minute remarks were filled with pregnant pauses, and delivered with a shaky voice. Biden wore his trademark aviator sunglasses during the entire event, except when speaking.
Related: Biden addresses ceremony
Thirty-nine-year-old Beau - a captain in the National Guard, and Delaware’s attorney general — is not immediately leaving for Iraq. He spends Friday and Saturday at home with his family before heading to Fort Bliss, Texas for additional training with his unit that will ship out for a year-long tour of duty in six to eight weeks.
Once in Iraq, Beau will be a prosecutor enforcing the Unified Code of Military Conduct in a unit that will provide communications for U.S. forces in the country.
Sarah Palin’s son Track deployed to Iraq September 11, a fact that Biden referenced in his closing remarks at Thursday night’s debate: "For both of us, selfishly, may God protect our troops."
From CNN Politics
- Lawmakers reluctant to pursue gun control measures following Nashville school shooting
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- DeSantis plans to travel to Jerusalem as tumult strains Netanyahu-Biden relationship
- Harris faces painful Black history in emotional slave outpost visit
- Kentucky law aimed at increasing parental oversight in education takes effect
- New York grand jury won't hear Trump case again this week
No Hillary = No Obama-
Why don't you take your dimestore psychology and stick it where the sun doesn't shine...ALASKA!!!!
@ DEBBY: the war with Iraq IS a mistake, the war has bankrupted our Nation!
If you do not think so, then what do you call spending........$10 BILLION a month?
When our National Debt is $10 TRILLION, almost tripled by Bush/Cheney & McCain!
The disaster our Nation is facing all goes back to Iraq, and spending money we do not have!
To all of you who are wishing Beau GOD's blessing....
GOD created everyone and everything. All humans were made by
GOD. We human beings destroy each other and then pretend that we are doing it with GOD's blessing. To you I say.. GOD bless everyone.
Yes, the rest of us is very concerned that Sarah Palin is even being considered as a potential VP.
Cheerleader, yes, maybe a PR manager, but a VP? Is being objective and honest no longer an option for a Republican?
Good luck.
As the mother of a son leaving for Iraq in two weeks I am heart broken and devastated that he may lose his life for a cause totally distorted by my own government for the benefit of the American oil cartel. I am also reminded that it isn't just my child or other young men and women from America who may lose their lives. Parents in every nation that believed in the misrepresentations made by THIS president have or will pay a price for our actions with their children as well. Mr. Bush you should have been impeached for your actions. And just in case you don't remember the definition of the word, it is "to charge (a public official) before a competent tribunal with misconduct in office".
Thank God Mr. Obama is willing to step up, set a date and walk away. Please make your voice heard America, its time for intelligence in Washington. Our country can't survive four more years of "good old boys and girls".