US President Joe Biden was seen wiping away a tear throughout a rendition of ‘God Bless America’ on the Veterans Day service on Monday. Because the tune echoed by way of the grounds of the Arlington Nationwide Cemetery, the President appeared visibly emotional. The occasion was held to honour the service of those that have served within the US armed forces. A clip shared on X (previously Twitter) captured the second, with Biden expressing his feelings whereas singing alongside.
???? Right this moment, on the Veterans Day service at Arlington Nationwide Cemetery, President Biden teared up as he joined veterans in singing God Bless America.
Moments like these present simply how a lot he cares for our nation. We’ll miss him. ???????? pic.twitter.com/oQuXaoFbbg
— Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) November 11, 2024
President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, of their first joint look since Donald Trump’s re-election, got here collectively to honour US army veterans.
In the course of the ceremony, Biden and Harris laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Standing side-by-side, they maintained a solemn expression. After inserting the wreath, Biden paused for a second of quiet reflection, making the signal of the cross.
In his speech, Biden shared his sense of gratitude, telling the group, “That is the final time I’ll stand right here at Arlington as commander in chief. It has been the best honour of my life, to guide you, to serve you, to take care of you, to defend you, simply as you defended us era after era after era.”
He additionally spoke about his late son, Beau Biden, a serious within the Delaware Military Nationwide Guard who served in Iraq and died from glioblastoma in 2015. He mentioned, “Like lots of you, our son Beau Biden deployed in Iraq for a 12 months. I nonetheless bear in mind the day he requested me to pin his bars on him. He stood ramrod straight. How proud Jill and I and our household felt.”
Recounting the hardships army households face, he continued, “Like lots of you, we bear in mind how onerous it was when he was deployed, empty seat on the dinner desk, missed holidays, prayers of fear repeated each night time. Simply as we ask all the things of our veterans, we ask all the things of their households.”
Addressing all army households, particularly these with lacking family members or those that have misplaced members of the family in fight, Biden assured them: “For all of the army households, for all these with a lacking or beloved one nonetheless unaccounted for, to all these with family members who’ve died in fight. Jill and I need you to know we see you, we thanks, and we’ll by no means cease working to satisfy our sacred obligation to you and your households.”