Biden Sees His Son Off to War

(CBS)

From CBS News' Ryan Corsaro:

(DOVER, DEL.) - Joe Biden left his campaign staff behind and traveled with family to his son's military departure ceremony, where Beau Biden and fellow soldiers said farewell to their families before heading off to war in Iraq.

"I come here as I have many times before -- as a Delawarian, as a United States Senator. But today I come at you prepared to deploy as a father," said Biden.

His son, Joseph "Beau" Robinette Biden III, also the Delaware Attorney General, leaves this week with the 261st Signal Brigade Mission of the Delaware National Guard.

Biden recognized himself as a father who received some "sage advice" from his son this morning.

"Dad, keep it short, we're in formation," Biden quoted his son as saying. "I always listen to my general."

Recognized as non-campaign event, Biden made remarks at the request of the Guard to the soldiers leaving for Texas, who will train and go on to a year-long deployment in Iraq.

"We take comfort in the knowledge that you are the best-trained, best-prepared group of citizen soldiers our country and our state has ever sent into harm's way," said Biden.

Beau Biden, who holds the rank of captain, will carry out a role as a military attorney overseas, but will also train with the rest of the troops for basic military duties.

Addressing the soldiers as they stood before him, Biden said there had never been a Delaware unit more qualified.

"You are the best demonstration of both our nation's greatness, and equally as important, our people's goodness," said Biden.

Over 100 soldiers stood in formation in front of Legislative Hall in Dover, where several hundred family members looked on, many holding small flags and handkerchiefs.

"Let me simply say, like all of the family members here today gathered on this green, my heart is full of love and pride," he said.

Biden flew late last night into Wilmington to be ready for this morning's event after debating Sarah Palin in the only vice presidential debate of the election season.

He made no mention of the upcoming election or his running mate, Barack Obama, and ended his remarks with appreciation for the soldiers readying themselves to join the war overseas.

"Let me simply say thank you, thank you for answering the call of your country, thank you for doing what brave men and women in the military have always done and always do," said Biden.

"Stand strong. Stand together. Serve honorably. Come home to your families that love you. May God bless you, and may he protect you."

[Mickeyc777]

My son is a member of one of our branches of service, and as a parent, it is difficult to hold back the tears, especially when you know that there is a grave chance that your child may not return home to you.

Senator Biden should not be expected to withhold his emotions, or be held to any higher standard than that which would be expected of any other family member who will be saying farewell to their loved one, just because he is the current vice-presidential nominee.

Sen. Biden did not grandstand this day in any political vein, whatsoever, or use it as a platform, as did Gov. Palin at her son''s ceremony. This shows me that Sen. Biden puts his country first, not his politics. He showed respect for his family, and for our men and women and their families. Gov. Palin "used" our men and women, and their families for political gain for her party.

What respect I did hold for Gov. Palin was lost last night, when she made no attempt to share in Sen. Biden''s sentiment of compassion for his son leaving, as did her son.

My thoughts and prayers are with both the Biden and Palin families, as well as with their colleagues and their families.

[jackiean1]

Will Biden condemn this outrage?

Senator McCain suffered and bled for his country.
This is a betrayal of all our troops and Veterans.
This is no different from what Jane Fonda did.

They do not have Freedom of Speech in Viet Nam.
The communists won that war
The man they interviewed could NOT tell the truth about the tourture
and NBC knows it.
They have turned our airwaves into a propaganda instrument for the communists.

This is worse than malpractice this is TREASON.

They need to be charged and tried for it.
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_100108/content/01125108.guest.html

[celeste1882]

I hope and pray that Beau Biden and the many others who have deployed come home safe and whole.

Biden shows himself to be the decent gentleman that I always he was.

God keep them safe.

[cacatua08]

You know, when Joe got choked up last night at the debate when he remembered his boys being in critical condition after the car wreck that killed their mother and little sister, Palin didn''t say anything to exhibit any empathy
at all. She just launched into something else.

There is one of the big differences between them! Joe is authentic and warm and empathetic to the pain of others.

[pamelarainsong]

I sent an e-mail to Joe at his congress address. We love you Joe! Great Job at the debate! You''ll be phenomenal in the Obama Administration!

Obama/Biden Rocks!

[pamelarainsong]

He was a true gentleman to Palin... Palin with her rehearsed debate camp notes. Hey Palin! You can''t run with the big dogs if you''re going to whine about sexist remarks like a puppy! People weren''t worried about making remarks about Hilary were they?

Women running for office should not be treated with kit gloves... although she was by Biden. Good for you Biden! You didn''t take the bate!

Stick to issues America, but if you want to talk about moral character...

Check out video about Palin''s Horrific Wolf Record? Check it out. Google Palin Wolves - It should pop right up. If not - Google Aerial Gunning of Wolves

I would love to see Katie Couric interview her about that!

It''s disturbing how this country chooses their leaders.


--Pamela Rainsong

[cacatua08]

Godspeed, Beau and all of the others going off into harm''s way. And God bless you too, Joe, for being the good man that you are.

[jone775]

This is the U.S. I remember. Biden epitomizes "honorable."

[dburfears]

Compare Bidens honorable and low key goodbye to Palin''s media fiasco when she used her son''s deployment to Iraq as a campaign poster.

Nothing more needs to be said.