‘Jill and I … We See You, We Thank You’
Biden salutes military service members on his last Veterans Day address as president.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, along with their spouses, marked Veterans Day with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, Virginia. It was the first public appearance by the president and vice president, after Harris lost the election to President-elect Donald Trump.
From the Arlington National Cemetery amphitheater, the president honored service members and veterans including those whose lives were lost. It was Biden’s final time there speaking as commander chief of the United States military, according to the Associated Press.
“It’s been the greatest honor of my life, to lead you, to serve you, to care for you, to defend you, just as you defended us, generation after generation after generation,” Biden said. “You are the greatest fighting force, and this is not hyperbole, the finest fighting force in the history of the world.”
He went on to pay tribute to those service members who lost their lives.
“To all the military families, to all those with a loved one still missing or unaccounted for, to all Americans grieving the loss of a loved one who wore the uniform, Jill and I want you to know we see you, we thank you and we’ll never stop working to meet our sacred obligation to you and your family,” he said.
Beau Biden, the president’s son who served in the Delaware Army National Guard, died of brain cancer at age 46 in 2015.
Leading up to Veterans Day, the Biden administration announced that under his administration veterans have received more benefits and health care quicker than in the past.
Just this year, the Department of Veterans Affairs delivered $187 billion in earned benefits to 6.7 million veterans and survivors while processing a record 2.51 million disability claims. President Biden also announced that veteran homelessness has reached its lowest point on record, marking a 7.5% reduction in veteran homelessness in the last year and an overall 55.6% reduction since 2010. And, the Department of Education is announcing $9 million in funding to support student veterans, according to the White House.
Since taking office, Biden has signed into law over 34 bipartisan bills including the PACT Act, which is the most significant expansion of benefits and services for toxic exposed veterans in more than 30 years, according to the White House.
Among the benefits spotlighted by the president was First Lady Dr. Jill Biden’s Joining Forces initiative that has worked to remove barriers to employment and increase economic opportunity for military-related families.
Last spring Jill Biden hosted a White House ceremony with Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks and Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma, who signed a permanent memorandum of agreement between their departments to streamline approvals for federal employees who are military spouses that would ease approvals of remote work under the Domestic Employees Teleworking Overseas program. The change allows these employees to take their jobs with them when their spouses are deployed overseas.
“A critical part of the executive order is allowing military spouses who work for the federal government to take jobs with them,” Jill Biden said at the time. “It’s common sense, it’s simple and it’s long overdue.”
In June 2023, the president, alongside the first lady, signed an executive order that included actions to enhance career stability, expand employment resources and improve transition resources for military and veteran spouses, caregivers and survivors.
Specifically, last February the Office of Personnel Management published a government-wide plan to tackle employment barriers and expand opportunities for military-connected spouses, caregivers, and survivors. And following in April, the Biden administration announced a permanent agreement between the Department of Defense and the State Department to strengthen the Domestic Employees Teleworking Overseas program for military spouses who work for the federal government.
The Biden administration Monday also highlighted new actions to address toxic exposures for veterans including by expanding the types of cancers considered presumptive for VA disability benefits. Last week, the VA announced it would proceed with an accelerated review this year to support rulemaking that would create a presumption for Gulf War deployed veterans, including those who deployed to Karshi-Khanabad (K2) in Uzbekistan, a location described as a “toxic soup of exposures,” and are diagnosed with rare conditions that could be related to the many contaminants of concerns found at K2. Four cancers, including bladder cancer, ureter cancer, multiple myeloma, and leukemias, would also be added to the list of conditions presumed to be related to burn pit exposure for all veterans deployed to the Southwest Asia area of operations, including for K2 veterans.
In addressing veteran homelessness, the VA in 2024, permanently housed nearly 48,000 veterans, awarded over $800 million in grants, expanded access to legal assistance for homeless veterans and helped more than 158,000 veterans and their families retain their homes or otherwise avoid foreclosure. So far this year, nearly 90,000 veterans were under lease with vouchers through the HUD-VA Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH)—the most veterans served at any point in the program’s history. President Biden has also called on Congress to triple the number of veterans who receive housing vouchers—a tool to help prevent veteran homelessness, according to the White House.
To support students returning to college, the Department of Education Monday announced $9 million in awards to 13 grantees across 10 states under the Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success (CEVSS) program, which funds model programs to support veteran student success in postsecondary education by coordinating comprehensive and targeted services to address the academic, financial, physical and mental health, and social needs of veteran students.
Calendar
Nov. 12, 2024
Confronting Racist Imagery in Museum Collections
Join the Tudor Place Historic House & Garden on Nov. 12, 2024, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. EST for a lively discussion as scholars and museum professionals address racist imagery in the collections of Georgetown University and Tudor Place. Artwork has played a role in constructing racism for centuries. Objects with racist imagery can range from white supremacist iconography to anti-Black caricatures. Museums can use this imagery to address historical injustices and foster dialogues about race, representation and prejudice, both past and present. Read more
Nov. 18, 2024
The Hidden Cost of Defending Books: Voices from the Front Lines
The Eleanor Roosevelt Center presents a thought-provoking virtual panel discussion from 6 to 7 p.m. E.S.T. on Nov. 18 that will delve into the emotional landscape of activism in the fight against book bans. The panel will examine the complex interplay of emotions that drive individuals to champion intellectual freedom, featuring a renowned author whose work has been challenged, a dedicated librarian on the frontlines of censorship, and a passionate student activist. This event is free to register and open to all. Read more
Nov. 21, 2024
Special Third Thursday Night Out: Pat Nixon Biographer Heath Hardage Lee
The National First Ladies Library & Museum presents Heath Hardage Lee, author of the newly released book, The Mysterious Mrs. Nixon: The Life and Times of Washington's Most Private First Lady presents Heath Lee members of Nixon's East Wing staff for a one-night-only at the museum. These remarkable women, who worked closely with Mrs. Nixon, will participate in a Q&A following the program. Read more
Nov. 24, 2024
First Ladies Fine Dining: Inauguration
Cookology at Ballston Quarter in Arlington, Virginia, presents a hands-on cooking class wand lecture by Andrew Och, aka “The First Ladies Man” on Nov. 24, 2024. Dolley Madison, Edith Wilson and Rosalynn Carter all come from different eras, decades and even centuries. However, that’s no reason not to cobble together the perfect meal from some of their favorite dishes and recipes. Comparing and contrasting first ladies through food and the events they hosted is a remarkable way to learn about the life and times of these incredibly influential women before, during and after their time in the White House. Read more
Nov. 25, 2024
First Ladies on the Page Book Club – Spoken from the Heart by Laura Bush
The National First Ladies Library & Museum presents a virtual First Ladies on the Page Book Club discussion on former First Lady Laura Bush’s memoir Spoken from the Heart. This month’s discussion offers a rich exploration of Laura Bush's life and historical connections. Read more
Dec. 4, 2024
Inside the Vault: Holidays at the White House with Former White House Chefs
The National Archives Foundation presents a virtual holiday program on Dec. 4, 2024, from 6 to 7 p.m. EST featuring White House chefs discussing experiences working in the White House during the holidays and what it was like to cook for the presidents and their families. Moderated by Alex Prud'homme, author of Dinner with the President: Food, Politics, and a History of Breaking Bread at the White House, the program will feature William Yosses, White House Executive Pastry Chef, 2007–14, and John Moeller, White House Chef, 1992–2005, and author of Dining at the White House: From the President's Table to Yours. Read more
Dec. 6, 2024
2024 Holiday Book Festival
The White House Historical Association continues its tradition of producing award-winning books on many subjects related to the history of the White House—from its architecture, gardens, fine and decorative arts to the presidents and first ladies who lived there over the years. The authors of several award-winning books will be featured at its annual Holiday Book Festival on Dec. 6, 2024.
Artist and illustrator Dr. John Hutton will provide drawing lessons, demonstrate how to draw the presidents, and sign the series of children's books he illustrated.
Other authors include:
Diana Carlin, Anita McBride, and Nancy Keegan Smith will be signing their groundbreaking book Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America's History-Making Women.
Art Chadwick, American orchid grower and entrepreneur, will be signing First Ladies and Their Orchids: A Century of Namesake Cattleyas, which explores the history of First Ladies of the United States and the cattleya hybrids that are named after them.
Christi Harlan, writer and communications consultant in Washington, D.C., will be signing her book about Jimmy Carter: Mr. President, The Class Is Yours: Jimmy Carter's Sunday School Lessons in Washington, D.C.
Jonathan Stolz will be signing his book, Presidential Vignettes: Stories About Those Who Have Held the Hightest Office in the Land.
Melinda Dart compiled and edited this memoir of her grandfather, A Glimpse of Greatness: The Memoir of Irineo Esperancilla, which captures the amazing experience of a Filipino American who quietly served his family, his country and four presidents of the United States. Read more
Dec. 8, 2024
A Timeless Holiday Tea with the First Ladies, Featuring Janet Weir Creighton's White House Entertaining Presentation
The National First Ladies Library & Museum will present “A Timeless Holiday Tea” on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. ET. Janet Weir Creighton, Stark County Commissioner and former George W. Bush Administration staff member, will discuss the fascinating world of White House china, entertaining, and state dinners. Read more
Dec. 8, 2024
Is the Truth Dead? The Press vs. Social Media in the Digital Age
The Eleanor Roosevelt Center presents a panel discussion on Dec. 8, 2024, from 2 to 4 p.m. EST exploring how the rise of social media has brought an explosion of information and opinions, making it harder to sift through the noise and find the truth amidst misinformation. Bloggers, influencers, politically driven media, and politicians now wield the power to influence without evidence. How does traditional journalism rise to meet this challenge? In honor of International Human Rights Day on December 10, join the ERC at the FDR Presidential Library & Museum for a lively discussion on how journalism and social media shape truth in the digital era. Read more
Dec. 13, 2024
Eleanor Roosevelt’s New Deal Community at Arthurdale, West Virginia
The National First Ladies Library & Museum presents a virtual lecture exploring “Eleanor's Little Village” of Arthurdale, West Virginia. Eleanor Roosevelt, often referred to as the “First Lady of the World,” was an incredibly active first lady from 1933 to 1945. One of her significant projects was the New Deal homestead community of Arthurdale, where 165 impoverished families were relocated to learn subsistence agriculture and craft skills. Eleanor Roosevelt visited Arthurdale over 30 times, playing a pivotal role in its creation and development. This presentation will delve into the history of Arthurdale and Eleanor Roosevelt's influential involvement in the community. Read more
Dec. 13, 2024
Candlelight Tours of the Saxton-McKinley House
Step back in time with us for a special candlelight tour of the Saxton House! As you explore the house, you'll discover how newly forming traditions and presidential expectations shaped the holiday season for this tight-knit family over the years. But hurry, tickets are limited. Read more
Dec. 16, 2024
Cooking with the First Ladies with Sarah Morgan
Embark on a culinary journey through history with Sarah Morgan as she brings First Lady “Lady Bird” Johnson’s beloved recipes to life in this engaging virtual event. With a history degree and a whisk in hand, Sarah transforms historical stories into delectable dishes you can recreate at home.
Sarah's culinary adventure began with a thrift store find: The First Ladies Cook Book: Favorite Recipes of All the Presidents of the United States. Her Instagram has since become a hotspot for history enthusiasts and food lovers. Read more
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