Jill Biden meets with soldiers, spouses & children at Fort Drum

FORT DRUM, New York (WWNY) - Dr. Jill Biden visited the north country Monday.

The first lady landed at Fort Drum at 12:40 p.m.

She visited the post as part of her Joining Forces initiative, which supports military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors.

Biden and Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks hosted a roundtable on improving employment opportunities for military spouses. Joining them were military spouses, service providers, and local employers.

Before that was a lunch with soldiers and family members hosted by USO.

Roughly 88 families were in attendance to talk with and hear from Dr. Biden.

“You are my community,” Dr. Biden said. “You’re my military family, and family as we all know is everything.”

At the beginning of her speech, she thanked the garrison and the 10th Mountain Division leadership team for what she called “their warm welcome.”

She told the group that she is going to bring people’s comments back to the White House positive or negative.

A young child walked up and stood with Dr. Biden during her remarks.

“Coming here to Fort Drum, even in the dead of winter, it is my privilege and an honor,” Dr. Biden said.

Dr. Biden went table by table to speak with families.

“We will only be able to maintain a strong voluntary force if you don’t have to choose between love of country and love of your family,” she said to the group.

The first lady also met with military children for a Valentine’s Day-themed “hearts” and crafts project.

Dr. Biden has visited Fort Drum before in 2010 at a welcome home ceremony with then-Vice President Joe Biden.

Copyright 2023 WWNY. All rights reserved.