President Joe Biden Joins Dignified Transfer of US Service Members Killed in Drone Attack
President Joe Biden, accompanied by First Lady Jill Biden and top military officials, attended the solemn dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base on Friday. The transfer honored the three U.S. Army reservists who were killed in a drone strike in Jordan on Sunday.
During the heart-wrenching ceremony, President Biden, the First Lady, and military officials gathered near the plane carrying the fallen service members. With heads bowed, they stood in reverence as a chaplain offered prayers. As the transfer cases, draped in the American flag, were carried out one by one from the aircraft, a somber atmosphere filled the air.
The First Lady was visibly teary-eyed, while President Biden displayed emotions with his head bowed and, at times, closing his eyes. He placed his hand over his heart while the transfer cases were being brought out.
Each transfer case was respectfully placed inside a black vehicle after being draped in the American flag. Fellow service members saluted in a final tribute as the car drove away.
The families of the fallen heroes observed the solemn event from an area shielded from the cameras. Seats were thoughtfully arranged for them to witness the dignified transfer. President and First Lady Biden privately met with the grieving families before accepting the remains, according to the White House.
The Pentagon confirmed the identities of the three Army reservists on Monday: Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Georgia; Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, of Waycross, Georgia; and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Georgia. These brave individuals lost their lives in a drone attack on a U.S. base in Jordan, near the border with Syria and Iraq.
During phone calls with the families of the fallen, President Biden expressed deep pride in their loved ones’ service and conveyed his condolences for their immeasurable loss. He assured the families that their service and sacrifice would be honored and respected, and that they would receive ongoing support as they navigate this difficult time.
Seeking the permission of Spc. Sanders’ parents to attend the dignified transfer, President Biden delivered the heartbreaking news of Sanders’ posthumous promotion to the rank of sergeant. Overwhelmed with emotion, Shawn Sanders and Oneida Oliver-Sanders tearfully granted their permission for President Biden to be present at the ceremony.
The decision to attend the dignified transfer was confirmed after President Biden spoke with the families of all three fallen service members. Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder announced that both Kennedy Sanders and Breonna Moffett had also been posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant.
The dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base marks the second time President Biden has attended such a ceremony since taking office. The previous occasion was in August 2021, following the tragic Kabul airport bombing in Afghanistan.
As President Biden pays tribute to the fallen service members, the nation mourns their loss and supports their grieving families. The dignified transfer serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who dedicate their lives to defending the United States and its values.
ABC News’ Justin Gomez contributed to this report.
