Stephan Browne-Blackman

On January 19th, an event was held at Delaware’s Major Joseph R. “Beau” Biden III National Guard/Reserve Center. This event was a formal “goodbye” to President Biden, who would attend his inauguration the following day.

“I’ll always be a proud son of the state of Delaware,” Biden said during his emotional last words. Continuing on to say, “…When I die, Delaware will be written on my heart…and the hearts of all the Bidens.”

Biden also made a point to include his late son “Beau” in his speech, stating that his only regret was that he wasn’t still here with us. The very location in which this event took place was renamed in honor of his son.

“Twelve years ago, I was waiting at the train station in Wilmington for a Black man to pick me up on our way to Washington, where we were sworn in as president and vice president of the United States of America,” Biden said. “And here we are today, my family and I, about to return again to Washington, to meet a Black woman of South Asian descent, to be sworn in as president and vice president of the United States…”

It was a day of sadness as we had to say goodbye to the Delaware-native, but it was also a day of joy and hope. “…Don’t tell me things can’t change. They can and they do.” 

Also featured that night was a performance of the national anthem by Delaware State University Concert Choir member, Chloe Humphrey. A recording of her performance can be found here.