President Barack Obama was very emotional during his eulogy to Vice President Joe Biden's son, Beau.
Joseph Robinette Biden III died of brain cancer on May 30, 2015 at 46 years old.
Obama gave the eulogy with teary eyes on Saturday, June 6, at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic in Wilmington, Delaware. He remembered the car accident that resulted to the death of Beau's mother and baby sister four decades ago. Beau and his younger brother were injured but survived the crash. Obama shared that from that incident, Beau made a mature decision to live a meaningful life that would help others. He described Beau as the consummate public servant, Fox News reported.
Obama said that Beau was an original, a good man, a man of character and one who loved deeply and was loved in return. He also called the Vice President his brother.
New York Times wrote that Joe Biden was only 30 years old when he was elected into the Senate. However, on a fateful day in 1972, his family was involved in a car accident, which took away his wife and daughter. Biden had to be sworn in at the hospital where his sons were being treated. Beau died as the Vice President enters the last 18 months of his term. Beau also proved to be a promising political star. He was former attorney general of Delaware who contemplated running for governor at the time of his death. He also served in Iraq for one year while a member of the Army National Guard.
"He was a scion of an incredible family who brushed away the possibility of privilege for the harder, better reward of earning his own way," Obama said.
Obama continued about how Beau turned the cruelty he experienced in his life into acts of compassion and empathy.
New York Times revealed that there were about 1,000 mourners at the funeral mass. The Biden family, members of Obama's cabinet, former President Bill Clinton, congressmen and other government officials were also in attendance.
General Ray Odierno also gave his speech about Beau. He talked about Beau's deep moral and ethical roots. He described him as a soldier who understood the importance of trust and showed compassion to everyone he came in contact with. Ashley Biden, Beau's sister, expressed her love for her brother and talked about how they grew up together.
"God bless his memory and all he touched," the President concluded.