President Biden and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III were present at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on February 2 to honor and attend the dignified transfer of the remains of Army Reserve Sergeants William Rivers, Kennedy Sanders, and Breonna Moffett. The heart-wrenching occasion marked the return of three American soldiers killed in a drone attack in Jordan.
The military refers to the solemn event as a “dignified transfer,” rather than a ceremony, as the flag-draped boxes arriving at Dover are called “transfer cases.” The language used for such occasions is precise and respectful, mirroring the mournful precision that unfolds with each tragic loss of a US service member.
Sadly, these transfers have become increasingly rare as the US winds down its involvement in foreign wars. Biden witnessed the transfer of Sgt. William Rivers, Kennedy Sanders, and Breonna Moffett, all from Georgia. The US is yet to retaliate for the drone attack in Jordan, which resulted in the deaths of the three Americans.
Ahead of attending the dignified transfer, President Biden took the time to meet with the families of the fallen soldiers at the Center for Families of the Fallen, accompanied by First Lady Jill Biden, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and Gen. C.Q. Brown. This personalized interaction with the families added a private and deeply emotional element to the public ceremony.
The dignified transfer of the soldiers’ remains occurred with practiced solemnity on the tarmac, where the families were positioned at a respectful distance from the military plane carrying their loved ones. The ritual, historically shrouded in secrecy, was first documented by the media in 2009. Presidents have not always attended dignified transfers, but their presence reflects a solemn recognition of the sacrifices made by these service members and their families.
For President Biden, the experience is deeply personal, having attended dignified transfers both as vice president and as a senator for Delaware. His dedication to honoring the fallen soldiers and their families is unwavering, as evidenced by the emotional phone call he made to the families ahead of the dignified transfer.
The presence of the president at the dignified transfer serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war. These soldiers gave their all in service to their nation, and their sacrifice will never be forgotten.
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