President Joe Biden fulfilled one of the most solemn duties of his office on Friday by attending the dignified transfer of the three American soldiers killed in Jordan earlier this week. The drone strike responsible for their deaths has been attributed by the U.S. to Iranian-backed militant groups.
President Joe Biden fulfilled one of the most solemn duties of his office on Friday by attending the dignified transfer of the three American soldiers killed in Jordan last week. The drone strike responsible for their deaths has been attributed by the U.S. to Iranian-backed militant groups.
The soldiers’ remains were then transported to a mortuary for preparation. Following the ceremony, Biden departed on Air Force One without making any public statements. Every U.S. service member who dies in a military operation abroad undergoes a dignified transfer.
The three reserve soldiers transferred on Friday hailed from Georgia: Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, aged 46, from Carrollton; Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, aged 24, from Waycross, who was posthumously promoted to sergeant; and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, aged 23, from Savannah, also posthumously promoted to sergeant.
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At the National Prayer Breakfast on Capitol Hill last Thursday, Biden honored the soldiers, stating, “They risked it all, and we’ll never forget the sacrifice and service to our country, including the dozens of service members who are wounded and recovering.”
This marks Biden’s second dignified transfer since assuming office. Previously, he attended the transfer of 13 service members killed in a 2021 terrorist attack near Kabul airport amid the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was also present at Friday’s event at Dover Air Force Base. Additionally, White House officials stated this week that retaliation against the Iran-backed groups, purportedly responsible for last Sunday’s attack, would occur at a time and location determined by the U.S., potentially spanning several weeks.
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Apart from the three soldiers who lost their lives, over 30 other service members sustained injuries in the attack. The strike occurred when an explosives-laden drone targeted the base, hitting near a shelter where some troops were resting, as reported by two U.S. officials.
In a statement announcing their deaths, Biden hailed the soldiers as “patriots in the highest sense,” affirming that “their ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten by our nation.”
He personally contacted Sanders’ parents to convey the news of her posthumous promotion. “That’s the best news I’ve heard today,” expressed Sanders’ mother in a video call shared by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, thanking Biden profoundly.
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Reflecting on his own experiences with grief, Biden shared with Sanders’ parents his journey after losing loved ones in tragic circumstances. He offers reassurance that they will eventually find solace amid sorrow. He assured them, “the day will come” when memories of their daughter will evoke smiles before tears.
Access to dignified transfers has not always been open to the media, with the Defense Department changing its policy in 2009 to allow media presence with the family’s consent.
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