First lady Jill Biden launches program for veterans and military families in Wilmington

Greeted by applause and cheering from supporters, first lady Dr. Jill Biden used a visit to Wilmington this week to launch the Veterans and Military Families for Biden-Harris program.

She said four years ago her husband, President Joe Biden, went from being a military father to being commander in chief and that it’s a responsibility he took with pride.

“Joe reminds everyone any chance he gets, our U.S. military is the finest fighting military force in the history of the world,” Biden said in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Hi-Wire Brewing.

The first lady added that her husband believes that the one true sacred obligation is to prepare those our country sends into harm’s way and to care for them and their families when they come home.

She acknowledged that although military spouses and children may not wear the uniform, they serve the country too.

More: Scenes from first lady Dr. Jill Biden's visit to Wilmington

Among the list of work for veterans and military families is the president's signing of the PACT Act, which granted over 1 million claims to veterans seeking care after being impacted by toxic exposures. It was the most significant expansion of benefits for veterans in over 30 years, according to the Biden-Harris campaign.

In 2023 alone, the administration also delivered over $163 billion in earned benefits to 6.3 million veterans, according to the campaign.

At Monday's event, Biden acknowledged her husband's decision to end the war in Afghanistan because the sacrifice of military families was “too steep for too long.” The first lady also acknowledged the president’s expansion of reproductive healthcare.

“President Biden wakes up every morning ready to work for you,” Biden said.

The first lady took the stage at Hi-Wire Brewing just before noon, joined by Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo and Jason Cain, former North Carolina assistant secretary for military affairs.

Saffo led the remarks with strong support of the Bidens and their work for military families.

“The Bidens know what it feels like to have a son fighting for their country,” Saffo said. “President Biden has spent his life helping those who have bravely served as well as their families.”

Saffo also acknowledged the importance that North Carolina voters play in the election.

“The path to the White House runs through North Carolina,” Saffo said.

Cain, a U.S. Army veteran, joined in support of the Biden-Harris administration’s program launch and introduced the first lady.

“I know firsthand the sacrifices and challenges that come with serving our country and the immense toll that it takes on our families,” Cain said.

The Bidens have dedicated their lives to championing the needs of those who have served and that they are a military family, he said.

Cain noted that Biden has expanded healthcare access to thousands of veterans across the state, has lowered veteran unemployment, helped service members cover the cost of childcare, helped veterans obtain affordable housing and made it easier for veterans and their families to find jobs.

The first lady said her husband will continue to fight for the military community. She noted that her father served in World War II and her son Beau served in the Delaware Army National Guard and then for a year in Iraq.

“This is personal to us,” Biden said.

The first lady also went on the defensive against Donald Trump. She drew attention to Donald Trump’s alleged comments about prisoners of war and those who died in war calling them “suckers” and “losers” and said that they were disgraceful, but not surprising.

“Donald Trump wakes up every morning thinking about one person and one person only, himself,” Biden said.

Biden said the country cannot trust Trump and that the military community deserves better, with a president that serves with integrity, wisdom and character, and that she believes that’s her husband.

Biden asked the audience to remember what it felt like the morning after the 2016 general election, when Trump won over Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party fell short.

“We can’t take anything for granted,” Biden said. “We have to meet this moment as if our freedoms are at risk because they are.”

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: First lady Jill Biden visits Wilmington, NC, for campaign event