Thousands mourn Beau Biden in Wilmington
Thousands gathered June 6 at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church in Wilmington for the funeral of former Attorney General Beau Biden. President Barack Obama was among those who gave emotional and heartfelt eulogies at the service.
"Beau Biden brought to his work a mighty heart. He brought to his family a mighty heart," said President Obama. "What a good man. What an original."
President Obama said Beau was an original who brushed away the possibility of privilege and dodged glory, exuding true humility.
When troubles arise, President Obama said, "You can beg God for a lighter burden, but if you're strong enough, it can also make you ask God for broader shoulders, shoulders broad enough to bear not only your own burdens but the burdens of others," he said. "Beau would ask God for broader shoulders."
Speaking to Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, he said of Beau's life, "The world noticed. They felt his presence."
The president also quoted poetry, suggesting to the Biden family, "Let grief be a falling leaf at the dawning of the day."
Beau's sister, Ashley, and his brother, Hunter, also offered moving tributes to their brother, recalling his compassion and his uncommon ability to listen to others. Describing Beau Biden's last moments, Hunter Biden said, "I know that his hand will never leave mine."
Schwartzkopf: Delawareans showed honor, integrity during protest
Three members of Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church protested outside the perimeter of Beau Biden's funeral in Wilmington on Saturday.
The group, which demonstrates anti-gay philosophies at military funerals nationwide, held anti-gay signs in Wilmington, just blocks from Biden's funeral at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church. They were met by at least 100 counter protesters, including many from Sussex County, who sang “Amazing Grace” to drown out the Westboro protestors. Counter protesters held signs saying, “God bless Beau Biden,” “God loves everyone,” and other messages of hope and love.
The protests were peaceful. A 64-year-old man was cited in connection with coffee thrown on a Westboro member as the protest ended.
The counter protestors were commended by Speaker of the House Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, who thanked everyone for standing up for the Biden family. Schwartzkopf said in a phone interview he normally is quiet on social media, but he felt strongly enough about the protest to thank the counter protesters for keeping the peace.
“We take care of business and try to do the right thing at the right time,” he said of the Delawareans who peacefully protested in defense of both the Biden family and the state.
He said Beau Biden deserved that respect and honor, and said he is proud of the citizens who stood up for him..
“Beau Biden, as nice of a guy as he was, would not have ever approved of that,” Schwartzkopf said. “There's a right way and a wrong way to exercise your rights.”
Schwartzkopf said the counter protestors showed honor and integrity while protecting the Biden family from what he described as despicable actions from the Westboro protestors.
“I think anybody who capitalizes on someone else's tragedy isn't worth the time of day,” he said.
As for the one man who spilled coffee on a Westboro member, Schwartzkopf said he would be willing to pay those fines.
“These guys went out there peaceably and stood their ground, and muffled out the sounds of hate. And they did it in the name of our state,” he said. “People took time off in their busy lives to stand there and say, 'We think what you're doing is so wrong.' We in Delaware show respect. We honor and respect people for what they've done for our state.”
Read the full text of President Obama's eulogy at Beau Biden's funeral, as offered by Time magazine at http://time.com/3911699/beau-biden-funeral-barack-obama-eulogy-full-text/?xid=IFT-Section.
