President Biden on Sunday remembered his late son, Beau Biden, during remarks ahead of Memorial Day.
Biden in a speech at an annual Memorial Day service at Veterans Memorial Park in New Castle, Del., shared that Sunday marks the sixth anniversary of Beau Biden’s death. The president’s eldest son, who served as a major in the Delaware Army National Guard, died of an aggressive form of brain cancer in 2015.
“Beau didn’t die in the line of duty, but he was serving a Delaware National Guard unit in Iraq for a year,” Biden said. “That was one of the proudest things he did in his life.”
“So, thank you for allowing us to grieve together today. I know how much the loss hurts. I know the black hole that it leaves in the middle of your chest, that feels like you may get sucked into it and not come out,” he continued.”
Biden said that if his son was alive today “he would be here as well, paying his respects to all those, all those who gave so much for our country, and particularly honoring the Gold Star families.”
“You know, a lot of time passes, but you all know better than I do — or as well as I do — that the moment that we celebrate it is the toughest day of the year. We’re honored, but it’s a tough day. It brings back everything,” Biden said, thanking military families who have lost a loved one.
“I can’t thank you enough for your continued service to the country. And your — your sons, your daughters, they live on in your hearts and in their children as well. And we have to carry on without them. But I know how hard it is for you,” he added.
Biden also added his oft-repeated saying that “you the day will come when the mention of the name of your son or daughter, husband, wife, they will, in fact, bring not a tear to your eye, but a smile to your lips.”
“Greetings like this and gatherings help. And while I know nothing I can say to ease the pain, I just know that each year it gets a little bit, a little bit easier,” Biden said.
“I hope that day comes sooner than later,” Biden said.
The president during his remarks also called the U.S. military community “the solid spine of this country.”
“On my first Memorial Day as commander in chief, I want to reaffirm my long-standing belief: We may have many obligations as a nation, but we only one truly sacred obligation and that’s to equip those we send into harm’s way with all they need and care for them and their families when they return home and when they don’t,” he said.