Vice President visits JBER, thanks service members

  • Published
  • By Air Force Staff Sgt. Blake Mize
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Vice President Joe Biden visited Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Dec. 7 on his way back from multiple engagements in the Pacific region. During his brief stay, Biden took time to speak with representatives from each branch of service stationed here.

After meeting and taking photos with several service members, the vice president spoke about the importance of JBER to the U.S. Pacific Command mission and the President's rebalancing initiative.

"You are, in a sense, the forward base in the Pacific," Biden said. "This rebalancing we're doing is very real."

Biden, a former U.S. senator from Delaware, went on to explain the vitality of the U.S. presence in the Pacific region.

"We are a resonant Pacific power and we're going to remain a Pacific power," he said. "It's in the interest of everybody in the region [that] we are. The reason for the growth and stability so far in the region is because of you guys."

In his remarks, Biden praised the service members in attendance and across the globe.

"It's amazing. It's not just in the war zones, but around the world, you guys are recognized for what you are. You're some of the finest warriors the world has ever created. I promise you ... you are the pride of the world!"

Biden went on to explain why having the world's best-educated and well-trained fighting force placed in strategic locations around the world is so paramount.

"You are the stability in the world," he said. "Not fighting, just being present. Just your mere presence is so powerful."

The vice president's words proved meaningful to many who were there.

"For me, it was one of those moments I'd like to think everyone gets to experience in their life that makes them feel that they are exactly where they are supposed to be, doing precisely what they are meant to," said Tech. Sgt. Jake Stroisch, 3rd Operations Support Squadron. "It reaffirmed my deep desire to be a career Airman and it strengthened my pride in being a service member."

Another Airman reflected on the significance of such a high-ranking official spending time with the uniformed members here.

"It is nice to know that he can take the time to visit with us even for just an hour," said Airman 1st Class Matthew Whittaker, 3rd Munitions Squadron. "It was like he wasn't just doing this for media, or to be a good guy ... he was doing this to meet with us and show us some support. It was a very nice gesture."

Biden concluded his remarks by expressing his heart-felt gratitude.

"I just want to thank you," he said. "Thank you for your service. And I know that sounds trite, but I genuinely mean it. You have kept--and you're keeping--peace and stability in the world. The country appreciates what you've done."