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| News > Dr. Biden welcomes Guard children at holiday event |
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Cheryl McKinley (center) talks to children of National Guard families invited to take part in a holiday tree-trimming event Dec. 1, 2010, at the official residence of the vice president. During the event, children made cards for servicemembers and ornaments that will be on display at the residence throughout the holiday season. Standing with Mrs. McKinley are Dr. Jill Biden (right), the wife of Vice President Joe Biden; and Shelia Casey, the wife of Army chief of staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. Mrs. McKinley is the wife of Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley, the chief of the National Guard Bureau. (U.S. Army photo/Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy)
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Dr. Biden welcomes Guard children at holiday event
Posted 12/2/2010
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by Army Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy
National Guard Bureau
12/2/2010 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- To kick off the holiday season, Dr. Jill Biden, the wife of Vice President Joe Biden, welcomed children with parents serving in the National to the official residence of the vice president yesterday to make holiday ornaments, decorate cookies and write letters to servicemembers overseas.
Children from local schools also attended.
"One of the things I love about being the wife of the vice president is getting to welcome people to our home," Dr. Biden said, adding that school children also visited last year. "This year, I wanted to welcome school children to come back and be our very first holiday guests."
As Dr. Biden talked with the children, many of whom have parents who have deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, she spoke of her own experience as the mother of a deployed National Guard soldier. She showed the children a framed picture of her son, Army Capt. Beau Biden, who served in Iraq as a military lawyer with the Delaware Army National Guard's 261st Signal Brigade.
"I know how hard it was for us as a family to have our son away," Dr. Biden said. "So I know how it feels to have your mom or dad away."
After a caroling session, Santa Claus made his entrance and posed for some pictures with Dr. Biden and the children.
"I found out yesterday that I'd get two treats: one, I get to go to the vice president's house, and two, I get to skip school," said Kate Roberts, daughter of Air National Guard Lt. Col. Andrew Roberts and his wife, Debbie. "This is really cool."
Ethan McDonald, the son of Army National Guard Master Sgt. Marty McDonald and wife, Trish, said decorating cards for servicemembers was the highlight of the day for him.
"I couldn't wish any more than your safe return," he wrote in his card.
Also at the event were Shelia Casey, the wife of Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., the Army chief of staff; and Cheryl McKinley, the wife of Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley, the chief of the National Guard Bureau.
Mrs. McKinley spoke to the children about the role the Guard plays both at home and while deployed, focusing not only on the federal warfighting mission, but also on its response to natural disasters here at home.
She stressed the importance of what the children's parents do in the Guard, but also thanked the children for the sacrifices they have made.
"You're giving your service too," she said. "Sometimes, that takes a lot of courage."
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| Caveman, Bedrock |
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| Caveman, Bedrock |
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| John, USA |
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| PB, US |
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| John Baker CMSgt ret, Hewitt Texas |
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