President Joe Biden has proven unquestionably that he is our Commander in Grief.
Addressing the nation’s inestimable loss of 500,000 Americans, he spoke directly from his broken heart to ours. MSNBC commentator Brian Williams praised his “humanity, sympathy and empathy” and called his talk “a national eulogy.” Then the president and his wife, Jill, Vice President Harris and husband Doug, shared a moment of silence on the south portico of the White House, emblazoned with numberless candles. “We have to resist becoming numb to the sorrow,” Biden said. He ordered flags flown at half-staff. Church bells tolled continuously across our country.
The president reminded us of all those “who took their final breath alone.” He also challenged us “to care for those left behind.” He spoke, as he often does, of that empty chair, which reminds us of someone who is no longer there. “The day will come when the memory of the loved one you lost will bring a smile to your lips before a tear to your eye. … My prayer for you though is that day will come sooner rather than later. And that’s when you know you’re going to be OK. ”
A thousand thanks, President Biden, our Commander in Grief.
