The occasion started with a fun loving and genuine tribute from Obama to one of his dearest companions and comrades in Washington. As he completed his comments, the president solicited one from his military assistants to go to the stage.
“For the final time as president I am pleased to award our nation’s highest civilian honor” Obama started, while a Marine officer bearing the medal remained by.
Biden promptly spun around, turning his back to the group, and wiped his face and eyes with his tissue. The president offered the decoration “with distinction,” an extra level of love that his three quick antecedents had held for just three others, Pope John Paul II, previous President Ronald Reagan and Gen. Colin Powell. VP Biden was overcome with feeling after President Obama astounded him by granting him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
After the decoration was hung around his neck, Biden said “I had no inkling. I thought we were going to toast one another and say what an incredible journey it has been.” In his comments, Biden applauded Obama for serving the country with nobility and demanded that he was not deserving of the respect. Obama depicted Biden as a “lion of American history,” and commended his long administration in the Senate. As VP, Biden’s impact traversed both household and worldwide approach activities. Biden was a basic voice in creating procedure in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and in urging Obama to send Navy SEALs set for catch or murder Osama canister Laden in 2011.
