President Barack Obama on Saturday paid tribute to Beau Biden as a true “original” in a stirring eulogy for the elder son of Vice President Joe Biden.
Beau Biden, an Iraq War veteran who also served two terms as attorney general of Delaware, died May 30th after a long battle with brain cancer. A bronze star recipient and father of two, Biden was thought to have bright political future and had explored a possible run for governor of Delaware in 2016.
A tearful Obama said Biden did “in 46 years what most of us couldn’t do in 146 — he left nothing in the tank.” The president’s remarks were laced with humor and pathos as he described Beau’s deep admiration for his father (calling him “Joe 2.0” albeit an “upgrade”) and his “broad shoulders” on which he carried his family, friends and constituents for decades.
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“Beau Biden brought to his work a mighty heart, he brought to his family a might heart. What a good man,” Obama said. The president made it clear to all the attendees that the world “noticed” Beau’s efforts to make the lives of others better and urged them to “think about what is because of him.”
The president’s sentiments were echoed by Gen. Ray Odierno, the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, who called Beau Biden “a leader a soldier, and a patriot.” The general championed Beau’s “incredible character” and commitment to a “nation I believed Beau Biden would some day lead.”
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Odienro said Biden could be “selfless to a fault” and when he would talk to him about his ambitions, he was humble, telling the general: “Sir I’m just another solider, doing my best and my job to accomplish the mission.”
“I suggest we celebrate Beau’s life by following his legacy,” Odierno said while citing Biden’s legacy of service. “Do this and Beau BIden will leave in each of us and never be forgotten.”
He concluded his remarks by posthumously awarding Beau Biden the Legion of Merit medal.
This is not the first time the Biden family has been struck by tragedy. Shortly after Joe Biden was elected senator in 1972, he lost his wife and infant daughter in a fatal car crash. Beau and his younger brother Hunter were in the vehicle at the time and recouperated after sustaining serious injuries.
Obama spoke in great detail about Beau Biden’s courage in the aftermath of the accident. “Rather than use his childhood trauma as justification for a life of self pity, of self-centeredness,” the president said the young Biden “lived a life for others.” The president listed several accomplishments of Beau’s as public official — from fighting for homeowners and seniors to combating bullying. He even carried a notebook with him to “write down the problems of every person” he met.
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“He was the consummate public servant,” Obama said, while acknowledging that Beau Biden had inspired all of us to be a better father, brother and man. “He made you want to be a better person,” the president said.
“In this reality TV age, especially in today’s politics if you’re loud enough or controversial enough you can get some attention. But to make that name mean something, to have it associated with dignity and integrity is rare,” said a choked up Obama.








