U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama visited the official residence of Vice President Joe Biden on the afternoon of May 31 to offer condolences after the tragic death of Beau Biden, eldest son of the vice president.
The Obamas arrived at the U.S. Naval Observatory house of the vice president, his brave wife, Dr. Jill Biden, and the Biden family, according to the White House.
Being personally close to the vice president and his wife, the Obamas stayed at the vice presidential house for about 30 minutes before going back to the White House, where a Blue Room reception commemorating the historic Ford's Theater was called off out of respect for the mourning of Biden and his family.
After the public announcement of Beau's death, Obama issued a statement that he and the First Lady were mournful, and he acknowledged the Beau as a "big-hearted, devoutly Catholic and deeply faithful man, who made a difference in the lives of all he touched — and he lives on in their hearts."
"Michelle and I humbly pray for the good Lord to watch over Beau Biden, and to protect and comfort his family here on Earth."
Other Washington politicians and officials have expressed their sympathies through the social media over the death of Beau Biden, former attorney general of Delaware and a member of the Delaware National Guard.
In 2008, his unit was positioned in Iraq, and he served in active duty overseas until September 2009. Beau fought his share of medical conditions over the past few years. He suffered a mild stroke in 2010, and in 2013, he was hospitalized after falling ill while on vacation.
In August 2013, Beau was diagnosed with brain cancer and underwent chemotherapy and radiation at MD Anderson in Houston. Doctors gave him a clean bill of health in November 2013.
Vice President Joe Biden, who had to cope with a huge family tragedy when his wife and baby daughter died in an automobile accident just after he was newly-elected to the Senate in 1972, announced the death of his 46-year-old son on May 30, 2015.
"The entire Biden family is saddened beyond words. We know that Beau's spirit will live on in all of us — especially through his brave wife, Hallie, and two remarkable children, Natalie and Hunter."
"In the words of the Biden family: Beau Biden was, quite simply, the finest man any of us have ever known."
Plans for funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Photo: Steve Jurvetson | Flickr
