First Lady Jill Biden Visits Columbus for Campaign Event

By Leslie Hudgins

Democrats from all over Georgia gathered on Monday, July 8th, to welcome First Lady Jill Biden. This visit marked the launch of President Joe Biden's new initiative, Veterans and Military Families for Biden-Harris, which aims to increase outreach among veterans and military families. 

The Fountain City was the last of three visits Jill Biden made that day, with earlier stops in North Carolina and Florida—both home to large military communities. The event was packed with Columbus residents, military officials and state representatives.

Before Jill Biden took the stage, three guest speakers with military backgrounds spoke about the positive changes for those serving and retired. They highlighted the accolades of President Joe Biden such as extending military healthcare, ending the Afghanistan war, and promoting mental health programs to reduce veteran suicide rates.

When First Lady Jill Biden addressed the crowd, she spoke from a personal perspective. She and Joe Biden are military parents who experienced the loss of their son, Beau Biden, an Iraq War veteran and Bronze Star recipient, who died of a brain tumor in 2015.

"This initiative is very close to our hearts," Jill Biden said. "For our veterans, Joe has expanded reproductive healthcare, including access to IVF. He signed the PACT Act to get veterans the benefits they deserve and launched 988 to help end veteran suicide."

The PACT Act expands VA healthcare and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. "This law ensures that veterans and their survivors receive the care and benefits they have earned," Jill Biden explained.

One of the speakers, Ruthie Carpenter, a retired veteran, expressed her support, saying she wants a president who "fights for the military we call our own." Retired veteran Gloria Tyson spoke just before Jill Biden, sharing how President Biden's efforts, like the PACT Act, have personally impacted her and other veterans. "I'm a cancer survivor thanks to the care I've received," she said.

Biden ended her speech by saying, "Our country deserves a commander-in-chief who respects the bravery of our troops and understands their sacrifice, not one who belittles them for their willingness to risk their lives for our democracy."

According to the Biden Campaign, this new program aims to inform and mobilize communities to re-elect President Biden, ensuring he can continue "delivering for our troops and their families."