Family Matters Blog: Bidens Thank Troops, Families in White House Video
By Elaine Wilson
American Forces Press Service
> Link to Video Below
WASHINGTON, Aug. 20, 2010 - Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, visited Fort Drum, N.Y., a few weeks ago to welcome home soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team after a nearly year-long deployment in Iraq (See the related article by my American Forces Press Service colleague John Banusiewicz, "Vice President, Dr. Biden Welcome Soldiers Home at Fort Drum." )
The White House posted a video on its blog this week to highlight their visit.
"Those who sought to make chaos and destruction -- the hallmark of the new Iraq -- they have failed because of you," Biden told the brigade's soldiers in the video.
As military parents, the Bidens said they can relate to the concerns of family members left behind when a soldier deploys. Their son, Beau, is a National Guard officer who served a year-long deployment in Iraq.
"The anxiety a mother, father, husband, wife feels when they have a son or daughter, husband or wife in the battle zone is hard to measure," the vice president said. "You really don't even realize how much anxiety you have been feeling until they're home and you let your guard down."
"You truly feel as though a weight has been lifted off your shoulders," Dr. Biden added.
Dr. Biden reiterated her ongoing support of military families.
"I wish that all Americans could have a sense of really what they do," Dr. Biden said. "I think every American has a responsibility to do something for someone in the military or a military family.
"I promise to continue to do all I can in our mission to support our servicemembers and their families," she said. > Link to Video
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