Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2021

April 14, 2021

The President. Hard to believe, isn't it?

Bravery of U.S. Servicemembers

Q. Mr. President, what does this moment mean to you?

The President. It means that IâI'm always amazed at generation after generation, the women and men who are prepared to give their lives for their country. But they don't give it for their country, per se; they give it for their brothers, their sisters, their mothers, their fathers, their uncles, their aunts.

And Iâit means that I have trouble these days ever showing up at a veterans cemetery and not thinking of my son Beau, who proudly insisted on putting on that uniform and going with his unit to Iraq and giving up his spot as attorney general of the State of Delaware because he thought it was the right thing to do.

And look at them all.

Counterterrorism Efforts/U.S. Military Operations in Afghanistan

Q. Was it a hard decision to make?

The President. I'm sorry?

Q. Was it a hard decision to make, sir?

The President. No, it wasn't. To me, it was absolutely clear. Absolutely clear. We went for two reasons: to get rid of bin Laden and to end the safe haven.

From the very beginning, you may recall, I never thought we were there to somehow unify IraqâI mean, excuse me, Afghanistan. It's never been done. It's never been done.

Thank you all for being out here in the rain. It means a lot. Thank you.

NOTE: The President spoke at 3:13 p.m.

Categories: Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters :: Arlington, VA. Locations: Arlington, VA.

Subjects: Afghanistan : U.S. military forces :: Deployment; Armed Forces, U.S. : Servicemembers :: Service and dedication; Virginia : Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington; Virginia : President's visits.

DCPD Number: DCPD202100314.

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