NEW YORK – President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden made a rare visit to New York City on Monday to honor service members and their families ahead of Thanksgiving.
The Bidens attended a Friendsgiving celebration for the Coast Guard on Staten Island.
‘The Coast Guard motto, always ready. In recent years, these words have taken on a sense of truth,” President Biden said. “We owe you something, we owe your families something. With all due respect to those of you who wear the uniform, we cannot thank your families enough.”
The Bidens landed at Miller Field in New Dorp and headed to Fort Wadsworth by column. After their speech, they served meals and ate with Coast Guard members and their families.
“I also want to note that here in New York, you keep the Port and people safe every day,” Biden said.
Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis was also in attendance and shared photos on social media. She called it a fun evening of fellowship and Thanksgiving for our service members.
Traffic in and around the area was backed up for hours. Many who live near the base were not allowed to return home until after the Bidens left.
“It’s causing a lot of traffic congestion on the streets,” one person said.
‘Very patriotic. Support our Coast Guard here on Staten Island,” said another.
This was the first time a sitting president had visited Staten Island since President Obama began assessing the damage from Sandy in 2012.
Jennifer Bisram
