Amidst the U.S. being embroiled in two wars, President Joe Biden spoke at Veterans Day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, addressing current and former servicemembers.
Biden’s speech, while not directly mentioning the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, revolved around American forces triumphing over darkness and evil.
“Whenever and wherever the forces of darkness have sought to extinguish the light of liberty, American veterans have been holding the lantern as high as they can for all of us,” he declared.
Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs Denis McDonough, and top military officials joined Biden at the Memorial Amphitheater.
“Our veterans are the steel spine of this nation, and their families, like so many of you, are the courageous heart,” Biden praised.
While U.S. troops are not directly engaged in the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, the U.S. plays a significant role as a provider of military aid and security assistance to both countries.
Biden highlighted the PACT Act, which was signed into law last year, aimed at expanding healthcare access for veterans exposed to toxic chemicals and their families.
“Too many of our nation’s warriors have served, only to return home to suffer from permanent effects of this poisonous smoke,” Biden emphasized.
The Biden-Harris campaign also aired a TV ad focused on the legislation, timed to Veterans Day.
Biden shared a heartfelt tribute to his son, Beau Biden, who tragically passed away after serving in Iraq and being exposed to burn pits.
“Today I see that light of liberty. We live by it, just like our forebears. So all of us together, to ask ourselves, what can we do, what must we do to keep that light burning?” Biden concluded.
