GROTON, Conn. — First lady Dr. Jill Biden was the guest of honor at a special Christmas party at the U.S. Submarine Veterans Club in Groton Thursday.
Dr. Jill Biden and Secretary of the Navy Carlos del Toro arrived in Groton Thursday afternoon to visit with U.S. Navy families of the USS Delaware, the submarine for which the first lady serves as the sponsor.
When Biden and Del Toro arrived at Groton–New London Airport in Groton, they met with state dignitaries, including Gov. Ned Lamont. Biden and Del Toro went to the base from there.
"We met her once before, well, I mean, I didn’t meet her, but I saw her and the President before, but it will be nice to see her in person," said Navy wife Acacia Lazos.
The holiday gathering, hosted by United Through Reading, was for families of the USS Delaware, a fast attack nuclear submarine that Mrs. Biden sponsored in 2018.
And as a military mom, the first lady says she remembers empty holidays, like these families may have to endure.
"To have someone who is deployed, especially at the holidays, I think it’s really, really very hard," said Biden.
The USS Delaware has been at sea for several weeks and it remains uncertain if the boat will return to its homeport in time for Christmas.
"It means everything to us and all of the families we’re just so honored (to have her here)," said Fallon Legare, whose husband is the second in command aboard the Delaware, noting how proud she is that the First Lady sponsors her husband's boat.
Sponsoring a military vessel is fairly typical for politicians or their wives, Legare said. And it is important to Dr. Biden.
"My dad was in the Navy," she said, noting he served in WWII.
And so, greeting every person in the room that night was important to her.
Dr. Biden said she was especially pleased to have this holiday event be sponsored by United Through Reading, which is an organization whose goal is having military families read together every day no matter the distance.
"I teach English and I teach writing. So I know how important it is that you read so that you become good readers and writers," Mrs. Biden, a community college teacher, said.
Her visit lasted approximately 45 minutes.
"Thanks for making me a part of this very special family," she said. "So Merry Christmas and happy holidays, and I love you all."
This is Biden's second visit to the state as the first lady. She and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona came to visit an elementary school in Meriden in March. President Joe Biden has also visited Connecticut twice since becoming President.
The USS Delaware was commissioned last year. It is a Virginia-class attack submarine, and its homeport is New London. According to the Navy, the submarine is 377 feet long, has a 34-foot beam, and will be able to dive to depths greater than 800 feet and operate at speeds in excess of 25 knots submerged. It will operate for over 30 years without ever refueling.
Biden is part of Joining Forces, a set of initiatives centered on assisting military families in will center on the needs of military families in employment and entrepreneurship; military child education; and health and well-being.
Doug Stewart is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dstewart@fox61.com.
Tony Terzi is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at tterzi@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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