Pool Reports of November 11, 2024

In town pool report #1 - rolling to Arlington

President Biden's motocade started rolling from the South Lawn driveway at 10:40 am. We are en route to Arlington National Cemetary.

Your pooler is in a press van in the morotcade and didn't see the President step into the Presidential limo.

President Biden is heading to Arlington for a wreath-laying ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Biden is scheduled to give remarks in the Memorial Amphitheater at 11:15 am.

In town pool report #2 - attendees at White House reception for veterans

From the White House press office:

The President and the First Lady hosted veterans and members of the military community at the White House to commemorate Veterans Day.

Attendees
Secretary Deb Haaland, Department of the Interior
Secretary Denis McDonough, Department of Veterans Affairs
Director Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence
Administrator Isabel Guzman, Small Business Administration
Deputy Secretary Tanya Bradsher, Department of Veterans Affairs
Military officials, veterans, and leaders of organizations serving veterans and the military

Speaking Program
The President

In town pool report #3 - wreath laying at Arlington

President Biden's motorcade arrived at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at 10:49 am.

At 11:03 am, President Biden and Vice President Harris and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough walked together up a path to stand in front of the tomb. With them was Major General Trever Bredenkamp.

Biden and a solider together hung a wreath on a white stand in front of the tomb. Biden stood in front of the wreath and touched his forehead, heart and shoulders to make the sign of the cross. The ceremony was over at 11:11 am. Biden, Harris, McDonough and Bredenkamp then turned in a formal formation and walked up the steps into the Memorial Amphitheater.

Biden's remarks are next.

Details from the White House press office:

The President and the First Lady are participating in the Presidential Armed Forces Full Honor Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

Participants

The Vice President
The Second Gentleman
Secretary Denis McDonough, Department of Veterans Affairs
Major General Trever Bredenkamp, Commanding General of the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region and the U.S. Military District of Washington

In town pool report #4 - attendance at remarks; in motorcade

From the White House Press Office:

In attendance for the President's remarks at the National Veterans Day Observance at the Memorial Amphitheater:

The Vice President
The First Lady
The Second Gentleman
Secretary Antony Blinken, Secretary of State
Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary of Defense
Acting Secretary Julie Su, Department of Labor
Secretary Denis McDonough, Department of Veterans Affairs
Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Department of Homeland Security
Director Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence
Administrator Isabel Guzman, Small Business Administration
Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks, Department of Defense
Deputy Secretary Tanya Bradsher, Department of Veterans Affairs
Military officials, veterans, leaders of organizations serving veterans and the military, and members of the Biden-Harris Administration

Run of Show
Chaplain Kimberly Willis, Executive Director of Veterans Affairs Chaplain Service, delivers the invocation
John Handzuk, National President, Fleet Reserve Association, recites the Pledge of Allegiance
Ms. Karen Durham-Aguilera, Executive Director of the Army National Military Cemeteries and the Office of Army Cemeteries, delivers remarks
Secretary Denis McDonough, Department of Veterans Affairs delivers remarks
The President

From the White House - In the motorcade:

Traveling with the President and the First Lady via motorcade en route to Arlington National Cemetery:

The Vice President
The Second Gentleman
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the First Lady
Liz Sherwood-Randall, Assistant to the President & Homeland Security Advisor & Deputy National Security Advisor
Ed Siskel, Assistant to the President & White House Counsel
Richard Ruffner, Assistant to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
John Kirby, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications
Ashley Williams, Deputy Assistant to the President & Director of Strategic Outreach and Senior Advisor
Terri Tanielian, Special Assistant to the President for Veterans Affairs
Jordan Montoya, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the First Lady
Sheila Casey, Special Assistant to the President & Executive Director, Joining Forces
Marc Gustafson, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for the White House Situation Room
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

In town pool report #5 - Biden remarks

Pool is currently holding in the press van at Arlington waiting for the President to depart the Memorial Amphitheater.

President Biden was introduced by Veterans Affairs Secretary McDonough. Biden spoke for about 12 minutes. The speech was streamed live.

He quoted Lincoln saying there is work to do to "bind up the nation's wounds." He described the country's "sacred obligation" to train those the country sends into battle and care for them when they return home. He described visiting Normandy to honor the soldiers "who literally saved the world." He mentioned Sen. John McCain's service in Vietnam.

A few quotes from Biden:

"It has been the greatest honor of my life to lead you, to serve you, care for you, to defend you just as you defended us."

"Four presidents faced a decision, after we'd got Bin Laden, whether to end our longest war in history in Afghanistan. I was determined not to leave it to the fifth."

"We stand here today, we think about all our veterans have given our nation."

"This is the moment to come together as a nation to keep faith in each other. The world is dependent in each of you and all of us to keep protecting everything they fought for, to keep striving and heal our nation's wounds."

Vice President Harris was seated with the Second Gentleman off to Biden's right. When Harris was introduced before Biden's remarks, a loud applause when up through the crowd and dozens of people in the amphitheater rose to clap. Harris gave a nod to the crowd, waved her right hand and put her hand over her heart.

In town pool report #6 - departing Arlington

President Biden's motorcade departed Arlington National Cemetery at 12:29 pm. Your pooler didn't see Biden get into the presidential limo.

Next stop JBA. President Biden is schedule to travel to Wilmington, Delaware this afternoon.

In town pool report #7 - arrival at JBA

President Biden's motorcade arrived at JBA at 12:51 pm. Handing off to the out of town pool for the President's trip to Delaware.

In town pool report #8 - departing JBA

President Biden walked off Air Force One and stepped into the presidential limo at 4:45 pm. The motorcade is rolling to the White House.

In town pool report #9 - lid - return to the White House

President Biden's motorcade returned to the South Portico driveway at 4:48 pm.

We have a lid.

Out-of-town pool report #1 - JBA arrival/wheels up

POTUS's motorcade arrived at JBA at 12:51 p.m.

He stepped out of the Beast at 12:52 p.m. and ignored shouted questions about whether he spoke to the VP today.

He boarded AF1 at 12:53 p.m. after quickly saluting and pointing at one of his aides.

We'll be wheels up for DANG shortly.

Out-of-town pool report #2 - Wheels down/rolling

AF1 was wheels up at JBA at 1:04 p.m. and wheels down at DANG at 1:28 p.m.

Flight was a little bumpy. Aides were watching MSNBC in the staff cabin.

POTUS deplaned at 1:54 p.m. after a delay and stepped into a USSS SUV slowly at 1:56 p.m. after a long chat with his greeters.

Pool is now in a motorcade. Motorcade started rolling at 1:58 p.m., destination still unknown but about 20 minutes away.

From the WH:

Greeting the President on arrival to Joint Base Andrews:

Colonel Angela Ochoa, 89th Air Wing Commander

Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route to Delaware Air National Guard Base:

Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Richard Ruffner, Assistant to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
John Kirby, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications
Marc Gustafson, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for the White House Situation Room
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

Out-of-town pool report #3 - Arrival at Grubb-Worth Mansion

Motorcade arrived at Grubb-Worth Mansion in Claymont, DE for a plaque unveiling at 2:16 p.m. after an uneventful drive.

We are expecting remarks from POTUS in about 10 minutes.

Out-of-town pool report #4 - Ceremony starts

The ceremony started at 2:24 p.m. with POTUS's arrival.

He was greeted with applause and cheers, and took his place next to his sister Valerie Biden.

Pool spotted Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) and Gov. John Carney (D-DE).

There are three tents covering attendees, ranging from children to a retirees. One older man is wearing a Make America Great Again hat.

Out-of-town pool report #5 - More event details/plaque is for Beau Biden

From the WH:

In attendance for the President's remarks at the Guardian of Defenders Memorial:

Governor John Carney (DE)
Senator Chris Coons (DE)
Governor-Elect Matt Meyer (DE)

Run of Show
Father John J. Gayton
Major General Francis D. Valala
The President

Out-of-town pool report #6 - POTUS speaking

POTUS started speaking at 2:38 p.m.

POTUS touched the monument on his way to the podium.

Otter:

https://otter.ai/u/66y3ebMm8-A474CHQkEVTgWiVqI

Out-of-town pool report #7 - POTUS concludes/Talks about not walking away from duty

POTUS ended his remarks at 2:46 p.m.

After his remarks, he was joined by Valerie and other family members to see the plaque.

He added he had to leave quickly because of the security that surround his movements.

Attendees shouted at him as he departed: "Thank you Joe for everything!" "We love you, Joe!" "Go get 'em!"

Notable quote from POTUS about duty:

"We've never walked away from [that duty], even though there's been temptations to walk away."

Pool was ushered out at 2:50 p.m. The motorcade started rolling at 2:54 p.m. to a second, unknown destination but pool is not expecting to leave the vans.

Other rough notes:

"Really special for my sister and I" to be here.

Recounts going to school nearby.

"Deeply humbled" by plaque.

Thinks about Beau "every day," "especially today."

"He was so damn proud he joined the military."

"Our entire family felt that pride."

"Like so many of you, you remember how hard it was, the empty seat at the dinner table."

Vows to reimburse the money spent on the plaque.

Out-of-town pool report #8 - Arrival at St Joseph on the Brandywine Church

The motorcade arrived at St Joseph on the Brandywine Church in Wilmington, DE at 3:15 p.m., where Beau Biden is buried. Pool did not see POTUS exit his SUV. Pool is holding on the other side of the church.

Out-of-town pool report #9 - Rolling to DANG

The motorcade started rolling to DANG at 3:31 p.m.

Out-of-town pool report #10 - DANG arrival/wheels up

The motorcade arrived at DANG at 3:42 p.m.

POTUS stepped out of his SUV at 3:43 p.m.

He boarded AF1 at 3:43 p.m. as pool was getting out of the van.

We'll be wheels up for JBA shortly

From the WH:

The President is at St. Joseph's on the Brandywine visiting the gravesite of his son, Beau Biden.

Out-of-town pool report #11 - Wheels down

AF1 was wheels up at DANG at 3:54 p.m. and wheels down at JBA at 4:16 p.m.

POTUS deplaned at 4:24 p.m. and stepped into the Beast at 4:24 p.m.

The motorcade starting rolling at 4:25 p.m.

From the WH:

Traveling with the President aboard Air Force One en route to Joint Base Andrews

Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Richard Ruffner, Assistant to the President & Director of Oval Office Operations
John Kirby, Deputy Assistant to the President & NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications
Marc Gustafson, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for the White House Situation Room
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

Greeting the President on arrival to Joint Base Andrews:

Colonel Angela Ochoa, 89th Air Wing Commander