President Biden's attendance at a solemn military ceremony sparked controversy among grieving families of fallen service members.
According to the New York Post, multiple families of Marines killed in Afghanistan claimed President Biden made them wait for approximately three hours during a dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base while he reportedly napped on Air Force One.
The incident occurred during the ceremony honoring 13 American soldiers who lost their lives in a Taliban terrorist attack at Kabul International Airport's Abbey Gate on August 26. The attack, which also claimed the lives of more than 170 Afghans, took place during the final phase of America's withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Roice McCollum, sister of fallen Marine Rylee McCollum, shared her experience of the delayed ceremony. A military officer informed her about the president's impromptu rest period on the aircraft.
The account gained additional credibility when two other family members - Darin Hoover, father of Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover, and Christy Shamblin, mother-in-law of Marine Sgt. Nicole Gee - corroborated the story. Darin Hoover expressed his frustration: "We sat in that office for what seemed like an eternity waiting on the doddering old fool."
The families' distress was compounded by Biden's subsequent behavior during the ceremony, where he was filmed checking his watch, an action that drew widespread criticism despite White House allies' later attempts to deny the occurrence.
The White House has firmly denied the claims about the president's reported nap. A spokesperson defended Biden's commitment to honoring the fallen service members and their families. The administration emphasized Biden's continued recognition of the soldiers' sacrifice.
The White House spokesman provided an official statement referencing Biden's previous comments on the fourth anniversary of the Abbey Gate attack, stating:
These 13 Americans — and the many more that were wounded — were patriots in the highest sense and we owe them and their families a sacred debt we will never be able to fully repay, but will never cease working to fulfill.
The incident occurred against the backdrop of what many consider a low point in Biden's presidency - the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan after two decades of American military presence in the country.
The controversy surrounding the Dover Air Force Base ceremony has intensified discussions about the administration's handling of military affairs. The incident highlighted the delicate relationship between civilian leadership and military families, particularly during moments of profound loss and grief.
The families' accounts paint a picture of perceived disrespect during what should have been a solemn and dignified ceremony. Their testimonies have sparked debates about protocol and appropriate conduct during military honors ceremonies.
The incident at Dover Air Force Base involved President Biden, military families, and a dignified transfer ceremony meant to honor 13 American service members killed in a terrorist attack at Kabul International Airport. Multiple family members reported a three-hour delay while the president allegedly rested on Air Force One, though the White House has denied these claims.
The controversy surrounding the ceremony adds to ongoing discussions about the administration's handling of military affairs and relationship with service families, particularly in the context of the Afghanistan withdrawal. While the White House maintains its commitment to honoring fallen service members, the families' accounts have sparked continued debate about appropriate protocol during military ceremonies.
