LATHAM, N.Y. (Sept. 22, 2009) -- Dr. Jill Biden, the wife of Vice President Joseph Biden, met Monday with Maj. Gen. Joseph Taluto, the adjutant general of New York.
Biden also met with family members of deployed National Guard Soldiers and professionals who support the Guard's Family Program, following her appearance with President Barack Obama at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, N.Y.
Biden's son Joseph "Beau" Biden III is a captain in the Delaware Army National Guard and is currently deployed in Iraq. His mother has made support for the families of National Guard and Reserve members one of her issues.
She took advantage of her visit to find out more about the New York Army National Guard's Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program -- which helps returning Soldiers fit back into civilian life - and family support for New York National Guard Soldiers.
"I have talked to hundreds of service members and families in my travels around the country and I have listened to their concerns. As a military mom this is personal to me too - and I am doing as much as I can to raise awareness of the special challenges that Guard members and their families face. I hope to encourage more Americans to think about how they can show appreciation for our military families," she said.
"I enjoyed learning more today about the New York National Guard's reintegration programs and the critical ways the Guard is working to better support our Soldiers and their families before, during and after deployments," Biden said.
Following a meeting with professionals who administer the New York National Guard's Family Program, Biden met with family members of Soldiers in the 206th Military Police Company, headquartered in Latham, who are currently deployed in Basra, Iraq. She also met briefly with members of the 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation who recently returned from deployment in Iraq.
(Eric Durr provides public affairs for the New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs.)
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