Beau Biden, vice president’s son, dies of brain cancer

[onehandle]

Source: Washington Post

Joseph Robinette “Beau” Biden III, the son of Vice President Biden and former state attorney general of Delaware, died Saturday after battling brain cancer for several years.

Biden, 46, the oldest son of the vice president and the rising star of a family dynasty, had been admitted recently to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington as he fought the cancer, a battle that his father largely kept private in the last weeks as his son clung to his life.

“The entire Biden family is saddened beyond words. We know that Beau’s spirit will live on in all of us—especially through his brave wife, Hallie, and two remarkable children, Natalie and Hunter,” Vice President Biden said in a statement that was released Saturday night.

Beau Biden, a major in the Delaware Army National Guard’s Judge Advocate General Corps, became one of his state’s most popular public figures and had been considered the frontrunner for the 2016 race to become the state’s next governor, but in August 2013 he checked into one of the world’s most renowned cancer treatment centers, Texas Medical Center, in Houston to begin his fight with the disease.

Biden is survived by his wife, Natalie, and two children.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2015/05/30/e1ac5a2a-0731-11e5-a428-c984eb077d4e_story.html

[deutsey]

1. That's awful

[femmocrat]

2. Oh my.... that is just heart-breaking.

We all had high hopes for him. Deepest sympathy to the Biden family over their tragic loss.

[freshwest]

3. Very sad to hear this. The second son he's lost. Condolences to the family. n/t

[George II]

17. Horrible news......the other child he lost was his daughter, along with his wife....

....in a horrible car accident 40 years ago. He'd just been elected Senator from Delaware (I believe the youngest in history), and he considered not taking his seat in the Senate.

This man, and his family, have gone through so much, many of us don't realize how good we have it.

Rest in peace, Beau.

[Botany]

4. One more brain possible cancer victim from Dick Cheney's war

Last edited Sun May 31, 2015, 09:38 AM - Edit history (1)

I know because I worked w/one. He is gone now.

google, "KBR burn pits brain cancer"

Much love to the Biden Family!

[LynneSin]

6. He wouldn't have been anywhere near the front line. He was way in the back

He served in the JAG.

I just think some people get cancer and he was one of them.

[Botany]

16. many many people in the front line and in the rear got brain cancer in Iraq

KBR used to have "burn pits" where they dumped all kinds if stuff and burned it and
lots of people got braim cancer.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/photo-essay-burn-pits-iraq-afghanistan/

My neighbor's son was one of the first who had his brain cancer declared a combat
related injury

[840high]

54. This is not the time for politics.

[wordpix]

117. I think we should start a separate thread about this issue

goodbye Beau

[eggplant]

138. +1

[dreamnightwind]

91. Thanks, I was unaware of this - eom

[wordpix]

119. thanks for the link, this was my first thought

I didn't know about the burn pits but I was thinking of toxic smoke from bombs going off--- chemicals contained in the bombs and burning debris.

[giftedgirl77]

33. The front lines had nothing to do with it....

I worked directly for Beau Biden during my second tour. I was his paralegal for one of the Battalions under his Brigade. I'm not 100% disabled by both the VA & Army due to brain lesions among other issues. The burn pits were on our bases right where we lived.

[AndreaCG]

42. Very sorry to hear it

Does it get much publicity? Will Beau Biden's death bring it to the forefront do you think?

RIP to Beau Biden and condolences to the VP and the rest of his family

[giftedgirl77]

93. Thank you & no probably not.

The burn pits were ran by KBR the publicity is all but squashed.

[marym625]

98. I'm sorry for your suffering

Both losing someone you knew and for your disability due to incompetence of the government

[giftedgirl77]

107. Thank you

[Botany]

112. I am so sorry for what you have been through

Now I don't know if or if not Beau's cancer was from the war but I worked to help
a man who is now gone whose cancer was declared 100% duty related. The more
I looked into things the more cases I read about brain cancer and KBR's "burn pits."

[giftedgirl77]

120. I don't know if his was related or not either but I didn't

start having problems until about 6 months after I came back & my first lesions were diagnosed over a year later after I started showing symptoms similar to MS. I was active duty, & stationed at Balad whereas he was stationed in the green zone so my exposure levels were way worse. But none the less the burn pits were located where we lived exposure was constant.

I also was given 100% by both the VA & Army, I've also been registered in the Gulf War Exposure registry through the VA.

Biden was one of the best attorneys I have ever had the pleasure of working for.

[Botany]

125. Thank you for posting

I knew our local congress critter and although she was only there for one term .....
gerrymandering and other stuff ..... her staff person who was a vet helped to get
full benefits for my neighbor's son. After I passed on to him (The Congresswoman's
aid) some stories about brain cancer and KBR burn pits he was able to make the
case to the VA that cancer vicitm's $$ support and extra medical care (transportation,
ramps, and other stuff) should be fully funded.

Thank you for your service. And my heart goes out to you and the Biden Family.

Maybe the Vice President could use a short note from you right now.

[giftedgirl77]

127. I'm working on my note to them, it's taking a little bit of effort...

You should check out burnpits360.org it has tons of information including studies done & class action lawsuit information for your friend.

[Botany]

164. Sadly my neighbor's son is gone now.

And the family has moved away.

[George II]

19. Is this the time to play politics? Come on, a little respect!

[Hissyspit]

29. If it's true, there's never a time to not talk about it.

Probably no way to ever know for sure, though.

[840high]

53. Unnecessary post.

[Botany]

114. i am so sorry if my post upset you

Now I don't know if Major Biden's cancer was from the war but the # of cases
of brain cancer and their relationship to KBR's burn pits is well established.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/photo-essay-burn-pits-iraq-afghanistan/

[orpupilofnature57]

5. RIP

[niyad]

7. requiescat in pace, beau. prayers for peace and comfort for his family.

[Lisa D]

8. That is so sad

May he rest in peace.

[Purveyor]

9. Holy shit! RIP and godspeed to the Biden's. Just damn. eom

[LynneSin]

10. This was suppose to be our next Governor

Beau was such a great guy. And like any Delaware democrat I had a chance to meet him several times out here on the campaign trail - amazing speaker, I always thought he could go far in politics.

This is so sad - my heart is just breaking now.

[StevieM]

11. Terrible news. R.I.P. to Beau Biden and my condolences to his entire family. (eom)

[Skittles]

12. ...

[mvd]

13. That is really sad and kind of shocking since I didn't even know he was that sick

My condolences go out.

[TexasBushwhacker]

18. I didn't know either n/t

[JI7]

74. i had a bad feeling from last post about him being sick which was not too long ago

[Cooley Hurd]

14. Cross gently, Beau...

[Chicago1980]

15. Sadness...

I'm not a religious individual but my heart. prayers, and very sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Beau Biden. 46 is much to young to pass in such a manner. Much moral support exists on this forum for the family and may the good spirits be with you and yours.

[eridani]

20. Sad news. Safe passage, Beau n/t

[Liberal_in_LA]

21. sad news.

[AngryDem001]

22. I was unaware that he was this ill.

RIP.



My condolences to the entire Biden clan.

[hamsterjill]

23. Very sad news.

My sincerest sympathies to the Biden family.

[davidpdx]

24. Shocking and sadening

It is apparent now why he wasn't going to run for anything after being Deleware's AG. He was so young and talented. My heart goes out to the Biden family especially his wife and children.

[BlueStater]

25. Joe Biden has been through so much heartache in his life.

Losing his wife and daughter in a car accident, nearly dying himself from a brain aneurysm, and now losing Beau. Terrible.

[AwakeAtLast]

32. I thought the very same thing

So heartbreaking.

[Backwoodsrider]

37. yet he has a sense of humor

Maybe that's what keeps him sane.

[AngryOldDem]

109. I don't understand how some people have so much tragedy in their lives.

Yet manage to face it with such constant grace and strength.

My heart goes out to the Bidens. This is so not fair.

[Hoyt]

26. So young, just terrible.

[GoCubsGo]

27. How awful!!!!

[irisblue]

28. words fail

[Triana]

30. This is just AWFUL news. Heartbreaking for this family.

Joe already lost his former wife and daughter. Now THIS?

Heartbreaking.

[daleanime]

31. ......

[TeamPooka]

34. The family is in our thoughts and prayers. nt

[susanr516]

35. RIP, Beau.

[workinclasszero]

36. Heart breaking for Joe and family

Too much tragedy in Joe Bidens life the poor man.

I hope the Bidens can find peace in this terrible time.

RIP Beau, praying for the Bidens tonight

[gregcrawford]

38. My heart goes out to the Biden family...

... I lost my mother to brain cancer when she the age I am now, and we lost a son to meningitis on his tenth birthday, which was Christmas Eve. He would be 33 now. We know the pain the Bidens are suffering, and I would take as much of that agony as possible myself if it could lessen theirs. Sadly, that's not the way it works.

[KingCharlemagne]

101. A beautiful post and I'm very sorry for your loss. Your post conveys

a sad truth.

[gregcrawford]

167. Thanks, King...

Both of those losses occurred in '92. Time does not heal all wounds, but it makes them easier to bear.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

39. Oh no......

Oh my god, tragic!!!

[Generic Brad]

40. How sad

My heart goes out to the Vive President and Beau's family.

[Cha]

41. Oh, my goodness.. that's so very heartbreaking.. Father and Son.. my heart goes out to the Bidens..

and all who love Beau..



http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/beau-biden-dies-brain-cancer-family/story?id=31420377

[workinclasszero]

46. That did it

[Cha]

64. This did it for me.. President Obama's beautiful tribute to Beau, wcz..

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6755508

[sheshe2]

50. That picture

Just makes me cry right now, Cha.

RIP, Beau Biden.

[Cha]

65. Aloha she.. This is what made me lose it right now.. Pres Obama's beautiful tribute to Beau..

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6755508

Beau

[sheshe2]

69. thank you for the link.

tears.

[hopemountain]

86. so much said and not said in this photo

heart achingly sad

[FailureToCommunicate]

137. Heartbreaking indeed, Cha. There is a photo of Joe sitting bedside next to Beau and Hunter after

Last edited Sun May 31, 2015, 10:35 PM - Edit history (1)

the car accident that killed his wife and young daughter and put his sons in the hospital in 1972. He is staring in what is likely intense disbelief. I have only seen it once and was not able to locate the photo again to post here...

That poor man has had too much pain, loss and sorrow in his life. Yet he perseveres.

[Cha]

156. Some people like VP Joe Biden have such strength to carry on in spite of immense loss, FtC..

He and his family so perseveres..


Blake Hounshell
✔ ?@blakehounshell
Beau Biden, age 4, watches from his hospital bed as did Joe is sworn in to the Senate. RIP. http://politi.co/1RA91d4
4:54 PM - 30 May 2015

http://theobamadiary.com/2015/05/30/rip-beau-biden/





jennifer bendery
✔ ?@jbendery
Joe Biden: "The real reason I went home every night was that I needed my children more than they needed me." https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/05/17/remarks-vice-president-yale-university-class-day …
5:49 PM - 30 May 2015

Wonderful Tribute to Beau Biden on TOD~ http://theobamadiary.com/2015/05/31/beau-biden-the-finest-man-any-of-us-have-ever-known/

[treestar]

157. Me too Cha

[Cha]

161. For you, treestar..

The Oak Tree
by Johnny Ray Ryder Jr

A mighty wind blew night and day
It stole the oak tree’s leaves away
Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark
Until the oak was tired and stark

But still the oak tree held its ground
While other trees fell all around
The weary wind gave up and spoke.
How can you still be standing Oak?

The oak tree said, I know that you
Can break each branch of mine in two
Carry every leaf away
Shake my limbs, and make me sway

But I have roots stretched in the earth
Growing stronger since my birth
You’ll never touch them, for you see
They are the deepest part of me

Until today, I wasn’t sure
Of just how much I could endure
But now I’ve found, with thanks to you
I’m stronger than I ever knew
http://theobamadiary.com/2015/05/31/the-bidens-strength-courage-grace-love/

A beautiful tribute to Beau in pictures from TOD~

http://theobamadiary.com/2015/05/31/beau-biden-the-finest-man-any-of-us-have-ever-known/

[treestar]

165. Thanks Cha!

[Cha]

166. You're so Welcome, treestar~

[herding cats]

159. Heartbreaking, exactly.

So much tragedy for the Biden family. It's unjust the amount of sorrow they've seen.

I cannot begin to imagine the heartache and loss. Peace to them. Especially to Joe Biden at this time of his great loss. My heart goes out to them all.

[Cha]

162. And, for you herding..

The Oak Tree
by Johnny Ray Ryder Jr

A mighty wind blew night and day
It stole the oak tree’s leaves away
Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark
Until the oak was tired and stark

But still the oak tree held its ground
While other trees fell all around
The weary wind gave up and spoke.
How can you still be standing Oak?

The oak tree said, I know that you
Can break each branch of mine in two
Carry every leaf away
Shake my limbs, and make me sway

But I have roots stretched in the earth
Growing stronger since my birth
You’ll never touch them, for you see
They are the deepest part of me

Until today, I wasn’t sure
Of just how much I could endure
But now I’ve found, with thanks to you
I’m stronger than I ever knew
http://theobamadiary.com/2015/05/31/the-bidens-strength-courage-grace-love/

A beautiful tribute to Beau in pictures from TOD~

http://theobamadiary.com/2015/05/31/beau-biden-the-finest-man-any-of-us-have-ever-known/

[Paka]

43. Sad indeed. RIP, Beau.

[Gemini Cat]

44. My heart goes out to the Biden family.

This is horrible. I have no words right now.

[nolabear]

45. Can't help but ache for these good people.

I really like Joe Biden. I hope I never, ever really know what hey must be going through. Lord....

[awoke_in_2003]

47. My heart goes out to Joe...

he has been through so much in his life. The toughest thing to lose in your life is a child, and he has lost two.

[trueblue2007]

48. I'm in tears and so sad now.

I'm in tears and so sad now. I pray God will be with the Biden family and especially Beau's wife and children. Rest in Peace Beau. God be with the Biden family in this difficult, sorry time.

[Enthusiast]

49. This is very sad.

[Mnemosyne]

51. ...

[840high]

52. So sad. Condolences to his family.

[laserhaas]

55. Almost managed to meet him - about 2 big Delaware cases.

{{{{{ Biden Family }}}}}

[csziggy]

56. My heart aches for the Biden family - Beau was far too young

He was the same age my oldest sister was when she died of brain cancer.

[JohnnyLib2]

57. So sad. DAMN cancer

Peace and sympathy to the family

[Moostache]

58. I am stunned. Maybe I just did not want to know how ill he was...

But I had no idea at all that his condition was terminal or even potentially fatal. My heart breaks for Joe, and for the rest of the family, especially the children.

There is no justice in the world when these things happen, its enough to drive you mad with grief and rage at the imbalance of karma at times.

Horrible news. Just horrible...

[William769]

59. What a tragedy.

May he rest in Peace.

[Beacool]

60. This is such sad news.

The family has been through so much heartache. My sincere condolences to the entire Biden family.

[mentalsolstice]

61. So sad for Joe

He has had to live through the death of his wife and baby girl. And now another child has died.

[blue neen]

62. Oh no.

So sad.

[rury]

63. My condolences to the Biden Family

RIP Beau

[nirvana555]

67. Absolutely heartbreaking..... N/T

[3catwoman3]

66. To have lost one child is devastating enough.

Now this. Too much. Way too much.

The photo above, with Joe touching his son's cheek, says volumes.

[d_b]

68. So awful.

I lost my mother to cancer on 5-30-2012.

Condolences to the Biden family.

[Lifelong Protester]

70. My sympathy to the familiy

Very sad and heart-breaking.

[DesertRat]

71. Very sad. My heart goes out to the Biden family. nt

[Coventina]

72. Geez. My deepest sympathies.

[Big_Mike]

73. My deepest condolences to the family of the Vice President

He was much too young to be taken. It is a horrible fate to outlive your children. From what I saw, he was one hell of a good guy. He will be missed.

[progressoid]

75. Damn.

?itok=j_QmBfcw

[LynneSin]

124. Beau's youngest kid looks just like Beau when he was young

That's Beau on the hospital bed when his dad was being sworn in as US Senator.

[longship]

76. Oh no!

I just don't know what to post about this.

[avaistheone1]

77. Heartbreakingly sad.

Sending respects and prayers to his family.

[SoapBox]

78. No!

Oh that is so very sad.

Condolences don't even begin to express my sincere thoughts to the family.

Rest peacefully Beau.

[LovingA2andMI]

79. Beau Biden's Last Tweet....

"Serving as DE's Attorney General has been the greatest privilege of my life. Thank you for the tremendous honor. -bb http://action.beaubiden.com/150106np "

https://twitter.com/BeauBiden/status/552488014203867136

The Tweet was Signed "bb" on January 6, 2015. RIP Beau. Condolences to V.P. Joe Biden and Family!

[question everything]

80. How much suffering can one family endure?

Rest in Peace Beau.

[Duppers]

81. Very sad.

As Botany said, yet another victim of Cheney's war.

The Biden family has suffered much too much.

[Behind the Aegis]

82. ...

[Unknown Beatle]

83. Condolences to VP Biden and Family.

RIP Beau.

[Hekate]

84. Condolences to the Bidens. This is so terribly sad.

[IcyPeas]

85. so sad. rip

[joeybee12]

87. This is terrible...way too young

[BumRushDaShow]

88. Wow

Beau and his brother had survived the terrible car accident that took his mother and sister. The family has had so much tragedy.

I express condolences to Beau's family and the rest of the Bidens.

[Sunlei]

89. RIP, Beau Biden

[merrily]

90. Incredibly sad. Heartbreaking.

[stonecutter357]

92. .

[sarge43]

94. ...

[Ilsa]

95. Those poor children and young wife. My sympathies go out

to them and the VP and the rest of their family. It really hurts to see someone so young and loving towards his fellow mankind leave us so early.

[ColesCountyDem]

96. "Home is the sailor, home from sea, And the hunter home from the hill."

R.I.P. .

[democrank]

97. Rest in peace, Beau Biden.

[marym625]

99. So horrible

Terribly sad news.

Sincere sympathy to his parents, wife, children and his entire family

[IrishEyes]

100. My condolences to his family.

May he rest in peace.

[Vinca]

102. That's so sad. He was a great guy.

[Bryce Butler]

103. As a parent...

...I can't / don't want to imagine suffering the tragic losses Joe Biden has endured. As the saying goes, no parent should outlive their children.

[annabanana]

104. What a tremendous loss.. . To the Vice President, his family, and the Country.

heartbreaking

[blackspade]

105. RIP Mr Biden

[cal04]

106. Rest In Peace Beau Biden

My thoughts are with VP Biden and his family

[Little Star]

108. omg. My heart breaks for the Biden Family. RIP Beau. :(

[AngryOldDem]

110. Deepest sympathies to all. nt

[TBF]

111. Devastating

I can only imagine what Joe is going through.

[dpatbrown]

113. No one knows

Unable to explain what a father goes through when a son or daughter passes. I lost my son to brain cancer nine years ago. The best way I can describe it, like having your heart ripped out. Unfortunately there is nothing to alleviate what the V.P. is going through.

[wordpix]

115. so sad and a huge loss for the country

[onecent]

116. God Bless you Beau Biden and much love and

prayers to your father and your family!!!

Truly a tragic sad day!!!!!!!!!

[heaven05]

118. this is sad

taken way too early. I hope his spirit is at peace. May the Biden family find the peace they need to go through this tragedy. So sad.

[Hepburn]

121. OMG, I am so sorry to hear this

RIP, Beau Biden.

[gademocrat7]

122. My deepest sympathy to Vice President Biden and his family.

[paleotn]

123. so sad....

[vankuria]

126. Condolences to the Biden family

They've already endured more tragedy than most and my heart breaks for them.

[Dont call me Shirley]

128. Beau...

[tavalon]

129. My heart goes out to his family

including our VP. That is just awful.

[sinkingfeeling]

130. So terribly sad. He had such talent and would have been a growing asset to the

Democratic Party. What a blow to the VP. Rest in peace, Beau.

[Peacetrain]

131. Rest in Peace Beau Biden

Such a tragedy.. It breaks my heart..

[magical thyme]

132. godspeed, Beau

Peace to all his friends and family.

I had no idea.

[Fla Dem]

133. A good man gone much too soon. I weep for Beau, Joe, their families and what might have been.

Why when there are so many nasty, amoral creeps walking among us does a good man like Beau Biden have to leave us?

[polynomial]

134. Joe has an honest Ethos

From the comments appears his son inherited much of the same way. I hardly recall his son on mainstream media. Thanks for the picture of his family.

As Vietnam veteran in the memorial week to express my condolence but feeling my eyes well up to envision what horrors Beau Biden endured, or the psychological trauma Vice President Biden must feel.

From my view there is nothing wrong with expressing a few words especially how one is surrounded in military action in harm’s way.

Beau Biden is a true patriot, to place himself knowing the jeopardy near hazmat fires, secret poisons, or prisons in a war zone with rules that belong to a lie.

America needs to understand that Cheney/ Bush syndrome of torture, bondage, and pits.

Bush and Cheney are ground zero and this is Beau Biden’s time to help America know about a moral authority that is criminal, profiteering and should be recognized so.

Some of my favorite messages are of speeches from Vice President Biden.

Especially that effect of saying an important point, mention that point once, no more than once, twice, on more than twice, then a third time.

Another famous person with that honest ethos said as prophesied Peter would hear before he betrayed him thrice, the crow of a rooster or a trumpet blast.

So, Mr. Vice President with the grace of Gabriel’s Horn, trumpet, being much better than a Bush Bull Horn, with the honest ethos tell America your story.

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

135. I didn't know this until I logged in.

How sad. May the Biden family be comforted in their grief.

[riverbendviewgal]

136. It is heart breaking,

I know what it is to lose a son to brain cancer. It is agony knowing that death will be coming soon. I feel for the family . I though Beau was a great man and destined for awesome things.... Unfortunately the good die young.

RIP Beau.

[VA_Jill]

139. I've buried a child

He would have been almost Beau's age today. It sucks big time. RIP, Beau. My condolences to the family.

[Duppers]

147. So sorry. My daughter

would have been 32 now. It's another reason we've so much sympathy for VP Biden and his family.

[liberalmuse]

140. This is so very sad

I hope the Biden family is finding comfort with friends and family around them. It is true that too many good people die young.

[Still In Wisconsin]

141. Burying one's child is the ultimate agony.

I know, I've done it.

May God bless Beau and comfort his family. By every account he was- and is- a son to be very, very proud of.

[DonCoquixote]

142. A [erfect example of the sort of person

we need to bring up so that when the Hillary's and Bernies pass on, someone else take the flag. This is one dynasty I would have liked to see.

[PatSeg]

143. Unbelievably sad news

So much loss for this fine family.

[Kahuna]

144. Rest in peace, Dear Beau. You were so much like your father.

[Catherine Vincent]

145. Very sad. Rest in paradise.

My condolences to the Biden family.

[Daphne08]

146. RIP, Beau Biden

Our thoughts and prayers are for our Vice-President and the entire Biden family.

[raven mad]

148. Major tears and heartfelt sorrow for VP Biden and his wife.

The worst thing to ever happen is to survive your child.

[midnight]

149. Such sad news.

[lark]

150. My heart breaks for this family.

Why has fate been so cruel to such good people? I love Joe Biden, he's such a great and good man. I can't believe his horrible luck with losing 2 sons and a wife.

[livetohike]

151. Rest in peace Beau Biden......my heart is breaking for our VP and the Biden family.

[westerebus]

152. Condolences to his family

[myrna minx]

153. .

[Iliyah]

154. R.I.P.

Prayers

[connecticut yankee]

155. So sad

My heart goes out to the Biden family. Beau would have had a brilliant future ahead of him.

[drm604]

158. RIP

[stage left]

160. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the Biden family.

[turbinetree]

163. He was

one of the first state AG along with the NY AG to go after the banks and what they had and have been doing to the mortgage holders of notes and he wanted some accountability.

That's how I remember him, he cared about the home owners----------this is really sad