President Obama bestows top civilian award to Biden
Friday, January 13th, 2017 4:36:05 by fatimaarshad
Just a few days before he leaves office, President Barack Obama surprised his Vice President and close friend, Joe Biden, by awarding him America’s highest civilian honor on Thursday. The move came as a complete shock to Biden who had been invited to a surprise ceremony at the White House on Thursday evening.
Biden had to fight back emotional tears as he received the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom award from the President. Pictures of him, receiving the medal from the President and clearly teary-eyed, have been circulating the internet.
The award was handed over to Biden in a ceremony which held to bid a joint farewell to family, friends and staff by the Obamas before they leave the White House next week. During his address, Obama described his Vice President as “the finest vice-president we have ever seen” and a “lion of American history.”
“So, Joe, for your faith in your fellow Americans, for your love of country, and for your lifetime of service that will endure through the generations, I’d like to ask the military aid to join us on stage. For the final time as president, I am pleased to award our nation’s highest civilian honour, the presidential Medal of Freedom.”
When Biden heard these words, his jaw dropped and he rolled back his head, turning his face away from the audience so that he could wipe away his tears.
After receiving the medal, Biden jokingly fired his chief of staff, for not giving him an early warning about all of this.
“I had no inkling,” Biden said.
“Mr President, I’m indebted to you. I’m indebted to your friendship. I’m indebted to your family,” he said.
Biden and Obama have not only been colleagues but they are also considered to have grown close friends over the course of the President’s tenure in the White House.
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Posted by fatimaarshad
on Jan 13 2017. Filed under Pakistan.
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