Vice President Joe Biden visited Fort Drum to welcome home members of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, who have returned from the war in Iraq. 

He and his wife Jill Biden were on hand for a ceremony for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team.

"I say on behalf of the President of the United States of America, thank you. We're indebted to you. We owe you," said the Vice President.

The unit has been in eastern Baghdad since October, the most recent of its three deployments to Afghanistan and four to Iraq.

The welcome-home event is one of many this summer at Fort Drum as the United States winds down its combat mission in Iraq.

"You've prepared Iraqi security forces to safeguard their future as a sovereign, stable, self-reliant country," said Biden.

Some 2,600 soldiers and their family members were on hand to welcome the Bidens.

"The Americans that went to war in Iraq served their country as well as any generation of fighting men and women in the remarkable history of this great country. They have climbed to glory and returned to a proud and grateful nation. So, welcome home 2nd Brigade Comat Team. May God bless you all," said the Vice President.

The event was held at a hangar at Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield.

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