Devendra Kumar
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden traveled to Dover Air Force Base to pay respects to the families of three American service members killed in a drone attack in Jordan. The solemn ceremony, known as a dignified transfer, is a rare occurrence as the US has retreated from conflicts abroad. The Bidens were joined by Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and General CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for the transfer of the remains of the troops. The service members, all from Georgia, were identified as Sgt William Jerome Rivers, 46, Sgt Kennedy Sanders, 24, and Sgt Breonna Moffett, 23, who were posthumously promoted to sergeant rank.
President Biden met privately with the families before the ceremony, paying tribute to the service members who “embodied the very best of our nation, unwavering in their bravery. Unflinching in their duty. Unbending in their commitment to our country.” The deaths were the first US fatalities blamed on Iran-backed militia groups, who have been intensifying attacks on American forces in the region following the onset of the Israel-Hamas war in October. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed militias, is believed to have planned, resourced and facilitated the overnight drone attack, which injured over 40 troops.
This tragic event is not the first time President Biden has attended a dignified transfer; he also participated in August 2021 for the 13 service members killed during the suicide bombing in Kabul. As he vowed earlier this week, “It is a fight we will not cease.” The president acknowledged the service members by name at the National Prayer Breakfast, saying they “risked it all” for the nation. The fallen service members have left a lasting impact on the families they left behind and the nation as a whole.
The US has not had any notable military engagements in recent years, making these deaths all the more significant and somber. The nation mourns the loss of these brave service members, and President Biden’s personal gesture to meet with the families shows the significance he places on their sacrifice. The event serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who serve and protect the nation, and the impact their bravery has on the lives of their loved ones. The legacy of Sgt Rivers, Sgt Sanders, and Sgt Moffett will continue to inspire and motivate their fellow service members and the nation as a whole.