During a visit to his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Joe Biden paid tribute to his uncle at a war memorial. The president touched the fingertips of an engraved name on the memorial, honoring Lt. Ambrose Finnegan. Despite criticism from some, the White House defended Joe Biden’s actions, stating that he was simply honoring soldiers and veterans by sharing his uncle’s story.
However, official documents show that there is a discrepancy in the tale that Joe Biden shared about his uncle. While he claimed that his uncle’s plane was shot down near cannibals in New Guinea during World War II, official records state that it crashed at sea. The White House spokesperson clarified the details but emphasized that honoring his uncle’s memory was a meaningful gesture for the president.
Despite this confusion surrounding the family tale, Joe Biden aimed to contrast himself with his predecessor Donald Trump who allegedly disrespected fallen soldiers by highlighting his uncle’s story. By paying tribute to his uncle at a war memorial and touching his fingertips to an engraved name, Joe Biden showed support for veterans and their families while also remembering those who made sacrifices for our country.