Former President Joe Biden
Former President Joe Biden made his first public remarks on Thursday since revealing his diagnosis with advanced prostate cancer. Appearing at a solemn Memorial Day ceremony in Delaware alongside his grandson, Biden addressed the crowd with a mixture of courage, gratitude, and reflection — paying tribute not only to America’s fallen soldiers but to his late son Beau, an Iraq War veteran, and the enduring ideals of service and democracy.
The event, held at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, marked both a personal and national moment of remembrance. It was also the first time Biden had spoken publicly since stepping back from the national stage earlier this year and choosing not to run for re-election in 2024.
A Lifetime of Public Service
Joseph R. Biden Jr. is no stranger to grief, public scrutiny, or political resilience. Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in 1942 and raised in Delaware, Biden entered politics as a young U.S. Senator at age 29. His early years in Congress were marked by personal tragedy: just weeks after his 1972 Senate win, his wife Neilia and infant daughter Naomi were killed in a car accident. Biden was sworn into office at the hospital bedside of his surviving sons, Beau and Hunter.
Over the next half-century, Biden would become one of the most enduring figures in American politics. He served as a senator for Delaware from 1973 to 2009, including stints as chairman of the Judiciary and Foreign Relations Committees. He then served two terms as Vice President under Barack Obama, and in 2020, successfully unseated incumbent Donald Trump to become the 46th President of the United States.
Biden’s presidency, which lasted from January 2021 to January 2025, was defined by efforts to restore unity, combat the COVID-19 pandemic, pass large infrastructure and climate legislation, and reassert America’s role on the global stage. Though his approval ratings fluctuated, Biden remained a deeply empathetic figure whose personal story resonated with many Americans.
Cancer Diagnosis and Stepping Back
Earlier this month, the 82-year-old Biden announced that he had been diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bones. Though the prognosis is serious, Biden stated that the cancer has not spread to his organs and that he is undergoing treatment under the supervision of a respected team of oncologists. He is reportedly in good spirits and continuing to consult on Democratic Party strategy from behind the scenes.
His appearance Thursday marked the first time he had addressed the public since the diagnosis.
“I’m doing okay,” Biden said to reporters after his speech. “I’ve been through a lot in my life. This is another challenge, and I’m meeting it head-on with good doctors, good family, and a lot of faith.”
A Memorial Day Speech Rich With Meaning
Biden’s speech struck a delicate balance between honoring fallen service members, remembering his late son Beau, and reflecting on the current state of American democracy. It was the tenth anniversary of Beau Biden’s death from brain cancer at the age of 46. A former Delaware Attorney General and a decorated Iraq War veteran, Beau was widely seen as a rising star in politics before his life was tragically cut short.
“Beau lived a life of duty, honor, and service,” Biden said, his voice cracking with emotion. “He didn’t wear a uniform because he wanted recognition — he wore it because he believed in something bigger than himself.”
The former president continued by addressing the veterans and families gathered for the ceremony. “All of you who lost someone — I know the hole in your heart. I carry that hole every day. But I also carry the memory of their courage, their sacrifice, and their love for this country.”
“Service Unites Us”
In an era marked by bitter partisanship and deepening political divides, Biden used the occasion to call for national unity and a recommitment to shared American values.
“Politics may divide us,” he said, “but service unites us. No one asks what party you belong to when you’re in uniform. They ask if you have your buddy’s back, if you’ll do your job, and if you’ll stand for the country that gave us all a chance.”
Though he did not directly mention President Trump, who returned to office in 2025 after defeating Biden’s successor in the election, Biden made subtle references to what he sees as threats to democratic norms.
“Democracy is not something we inherit passively,” he said. “It’s something each generation must defend, renew, and pass on. And it requires truth, decency, and the courage to admit we can be better.”
A Final Chapter Still Being Written
Biden’s appearance drew praise from both supporters and political opponents who noted the former president’s grace under pressure and continued devotion to public service. Though he has stepped back from politics, many see him as a moral voice within the Democratic Party and a symbol of perseverance.
“This may be my last Memorial Day on this stage,” he said at one point. “But I want you to know — I still believe. In America. In our people. And in our better angels.”
As the crowd rose in a standing ovation, Biden stepped down from the podium, embraced his grandson, and took a few final questions from reporters. “No regrets,” he said with a smile. “Not a single one.”
