Biden: "I Have Everything To Hope, But Little To Fear" (w/Photos)

[alsame]

Biden: "I Have Everything To Hope, But Little To Fear"

On Veterans Day, Vice President Joe Biden joins all Americans in honoring those who have fought and died for our country. Yesterday, in recognition of the seven soldiers killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan last month, the Vice President visited Fort Lewis military base in Washington, where he spoke to a crowd of 500 people, recognizing the bravery and sacrifices of the fallen soldiers:

It's that valiance that we remember here today at Fort Lewis. It's that valiance that we honor today at Fort Hood. And it's that valiance that we'll celebrate tomorrow, our nation's 91st Veterans Day.

Today, these seven men take their place on the rolls of the greatest American heroes. And the rest of us -- all the rest of America -- should once again be reminded and rededicate ourselves to a simple proposition: The only sacred responsibility we have as a nation -- the only sacred responsibility we have as a nation -- is to give all those we send all they need, and care for them and their families when they come home. That's the only truly sacred obligation our government has.

Meriwether Lewis -- soldier, explorer, a leader of men -- when speaking of his historic expedition, said of those under his command, "With such men I have everything to hope, but little to fear."

Well, I say to all Americans today: Knowing these seven men are watching over us now, and that our military is filled with thousands upon thousands of women and men like them -- I think we can believe that, even as we struggle with tragedy, even as we grapple with the profound loss and devastating grief, we can look up at the heavens, think of those heroes, and know with certainty that we have everything to hope, but little to fear, thanks to them.


Vice President Joe Biden speaks at the memorial service for seven soldiers killed by a roadside bomb on Oct. 27 in Afghanistan, at Ft. Lewis, Washington, Tuesday, November 10, 2009. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann.)


Vice President Joe Biden places a coin in front of each pair of boots at the memorial service for seven soldiers killed by a roadside bomb on Oct. 27 in Afghanistan, at Ft. Lewis, Washington, Tuesday, November 10, 2009. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann.)

Today, the Vice President and Dr. Jill Biden hosted a luncheon at the Naval Observatory for Veterans and active duty servicemembers along with their families. The Bidens, whose son Beau recently returned from Iraq, were joined by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.


Vice President Joe Biden greets attendees of a luncheon for veterans and their families at the Naval Observatory residence in Washington DC, Wednesday, November 11, 2009. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann.)


Dr. Jill Biden speaks to veterans and their families flanked by Vice President Joe Biden and Veterans Affairs Secretary Shinseki during a luncheon for veterans and their families at the Naval Observatory residence in Washington DC, Wednesday, November 11, 2009. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann.)


Vice President Joe Biden speaks to veterans and their families accompanied by Vice President Joe Biden and Veterans Affairs Secretary Shinseki during a luncheon for veterans and their families at the Naval Observatory residence in Washington DC, Wednesday, November 11, 2009. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann.)

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/11/11/with-such-men-i-have-everything-hope-little-fear

ETA: video of luncheon (33 minutes) http://www.c-span.org/Watch/Media/2009/11/11/HP/A/25824/Vice+Pres+Biden+Veterans+Day+Luncheon.aspx

[gateley]

1. Thank you for this. I was trying to find a clip of his speech yesterday at

Fort Lewis -- so moving and touching. He really feels it.

[alsame]

2. Here's a link to the full text of his speech yesterday.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-vice-president-memorial-service-fort-lewis

The WH site will probably have the video up soon.

[gateley]

4. Here's a link to the vid of his speech from our local news source (to the right

of the photo) ==

He begins, I'm Joe Biden -- it just breaks my heart. He sounds so sad and weary and defeated. :(

Thanks again! :hi:

[alsame]

7. Thanks, but

you forgot the link. ;-)

:hi:

[gateley]

8. Ha! I ALWAYS forget the link! Here it is -- hopefully:

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/69696502.html

:hi:

[alsame]

9. Yep, that's it! Thanks so much. nt

[alsame]

10. I just watched the entire speech, it was heartbreaking. You can tell

that he relives the grief of losing his wife and daughter when he talks to other grieving families. And he uses his own experience to give them comfort and hope for healing. That was so totally from the heart.

Thanks again for the link, I'm glad I didn't miss that.

[Cha]

3. I love seeing this man out doing his VP duties and

responsibilities. His birthday is coming up on the 20th:party:

[alsame]

5. Too bad the Prez will be in Asia! I guess the VP will have to wait

for his cupcakes. :)

[Cha]

6. Yeah, it doesn't have to be

on the exact day:party:

What a year!