Vice President's Son, Beau Biden, Mourned on Social Media
The death of Beau Biden has prompted a flood of condolences and memories shared online by his colleagues and acquaintances since the news was announced by his father, Vice President Joseph Biden, on Saturday. Joseph Robinette "Beau" Biden III died at age 46 after a battle with brain cancer, Biden wrote in a statement.
Beau Biden spent eight years as Delaware's attorney general before joining the investor law firm Grant & Eisenhofer this year. He had surgery at a cancer center in Houston last year and was recently hospitalized for treatment at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, when the cancer returned. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Expressions of grief, respect and sympathy for his wife, children and parents flooded Twitter. The president and first lady shared their remarks on social media, as did Hillary, Bill and Chelsea Clinton along with other politicians, reporters and those who had met Beau in various contexts.
"Michelle and I are grieving tonight. Beau Biden was a friend of ours. His beloved family—Hallie, Natalie and Hunter—are friends of ours. And Joe and Jill Biden are as good as friends get," President Barack Obama said in a statement released Saturday. "Beau Biden believed the best of us all. For him, and for his family, we swing our lanterns higher."
"Michelle and I humbly pray for the good Lord to watch over Beau Biden, and to protect & comfort his family" —@POTUS pic.twitter.com/KilnFEDbN4
— White House Archived (@ObamaWhiteHouse) May 31, 2015
"Beau Biden was, quite simply, the finest man any of us have ever known." http://t.co/t6s7IwEo90 pic.twitter.com/mLBc0amPKs
— White House Archived (@ObamaWhiteHouse) May 31, 2015
Had the privilege of meeting Beau Biden who exemplified qualities like integrity and honor. My deepest sympathy to his entire family.
— Katie Couric (@katiecouric) May 31, 2015
My heart goes out to the Biden family - we honor Beau Biden's faithful service in our nation's military and as Attorney General of Delaware
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) May 31, 2015
My thoughts & prayers are w Vice President Biden @VP, Dr. Jill Biden @DrBiden & the entire Biden family on the tragic passing of Beau Biden
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) May 31, 2015
Hillary & I mourn the loss of Beau Biden - so full of life, love, honor, and service - and we pray for the strength of his wonderful family.
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) May 31, 2015
My heart is broken for the family of Beau Biden—a wonderful man who served his country with devotion and lived his life with courage. -H
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) May 31, 2015
Saddened by the news of Beau Biden's passing. My prayers are with The Vice President, Dr. Biden and the whole family.
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) May 31, 2015
It is with great sorrow and heavy hearts that we share the news of the loss of a great leader, Maj. Beau Biden. http://t.co/E77RPIHlbQ
— Del National Guard (@DelawareNG) May 31, 2015
Just heartbroken thinking about Beau Biden; remembering what Joe said at the 2008 DNC. pic.twitter.com/SkM18Ygigc
— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) May 31, 2015
Beau Biden was always a lovely man in my experience - warm and kind-hearted and earnest in his commitment to serving his country. RIP.
— Ronan Farrow (@RonanFarrow) May 31, 2015
So crushed to hear of the loss of Beau Biden. What a great man. Iraq vet, AG, father and son. Example of American hero.
— Jim Messina (@Messina2012) May 31, 2015
Oh man, Beau Biden was such a good guy. This is heartbreaking.
— Ian Koski (@iankoski) May 31, 2015
Regardless of politics, we should all be Joe Biden supporters tonight. We are not meant to bury our children. Beau Biden, dead at 46. Cancer
— Brit Hume (@brithume) May 31, 2015
As words of sympathy were being shared on social media, the White House created its own forum to remember and honor the late Beau Biden. A page on its website with the header In Memory of Beau Biden invites people to submit a message to the Biden family.
"On Saturday, May 30, our country lost a dedicated public servant—a fighter for justice on the frontlines of war and in the courts here at home. A committed son, father, and husband, Beau Biden put his family first. His was a life we all strive to lead," the page reads.
"For all who knew him, who were inspired by his example, who share the passion for service that guided every day he lived, please offer your thoughts, prayers, and a message that will be shared with the Biden family as they grieve the loss and honor the memory of a most cherished man."