The first lady also discussed with troops the hardship that deployments have on families, referencing her own experience during her late son Beau Biden’s deployment. Since Russia’s invasion into Ukraine, the total number of personnel at the base has roughly tripled in size to about 2,700, military leadership on site told reporters.
Biden filmed a virtual story-time at the base as part of her Joining Forces initiative to support military families in partnership with United Through Reading, an organization that connects military families with deployed service members through video recordings and virtual book readings.
She read “Night Catch” with Staff Sgt. Sharon Rogers for Rogers’ son.
“Thank you for your service because when your mom serves, you serve too,” Biden said, directing comments to Rogers’ son.
Before leaving for Bucharest, the first lady greeted members of the Delaware National Guard and handed out her new challenge coin for the first time at the airport.
The challenge coin features the USS Delaware and the USS Giffords, both of which she is a sponsor of; the state flower of Delaware; and 261st, which was Beau Biden’s unit number in the Delaware Army National Guard. On the back, the coin features the full prayer that the first lady would say when Beau was deployed to Iraq.
Challenge coins, “her” new challenge coins with Beau-Beau’s unit number on them. Will he be getting some sort of top honor award posthumously also, for being the greatest soldier that ever lived?? Watch out Patton and Audie Murphy!