President Biden addressed an audience at Arlington National Cemetery for a Memorial Day ceremony, sharing the pain of those whose family members have died in service. He noted this week marks nine years since he lost his son Beau, who served in Iraq and later died of brain cancer that the president attributes to his time stationed near toxic burn pits.
Biden distinguished between the loss of his son and those who lost loved ones on the battlefield. He said, ‘Our losses are not the same. He didn’t perish on the battlefield. He was a cancer victim from a consequence of being in the army in Iraq for a year next to a burn pit. A major of the U.S. National Army, National Guard, living and working, like too many, besides that toxic burn pit.’
The president expressed his constant grief and pride in his son’s service, saying, ‘As it is for so many of you, the pain of his loss is with me every day as it is with you. Still sharp. Still clear. But so is the pride I feel in this service, as if I can still hear him saying, ‘It’s my duty, dad. It’s my duty. That was the code of my son. Live by the creed. All of you live by the creed.’
Biden emphasized the importance of ensuring that the sacrifices of service members are not in vain. He said, ‘It’s our duty to ensure that the torch of freedom, the flame of liberty, never goes out. Not here at home, not anywhere in the world.’
The president highlighted the VA’s achievements in providing benefits to veterans, particularly the PACT Act, which grants automatic coverage for certain health conditions suffered by veterans exposed to toxic substances. He said, ‘For too long after fighting for our nation, these veterans had to fight to get the right health care, to get the benefits they had earned, not anymore.’
Biden’s speech was met with mixed reactions. Some praised his heartfelt address, while others criticized him for making his personal loss the focus of the ceremony.
