US: Jill Biden honours children and caregivers of injured troops as ‘hidden helpers'

The United States first lady, Jill Biden, in her first solo White House event honoured the children and caregivers of injured US troops. While meeting a little girl named Gabby, whose father had suffered injuries during his deployment in Iraq as a marine, Jill Biden said, “My Gosh, You did such a beautiful job. Such a beautiful job," according to the Associated Press. The US first lady also thanked Gabby’s little sister Ava and told Gabby and Ava to make their family “proud”.

“From a young age, hidden helpers learn the cost of our wars up close,” the news agency quoted Jill Biden as saying. While honouring children and caregivers of injured US troops, Jill Biden was joined in the East Room by veterans families, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, former Sen. Elizabeth Dole and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough. During her meeting with children and caregivers, she revealed that she used to visit Walter Reed National Medical Center in 2009. She informed that during her visit to Walter Reed National Medical Center, she used to sit near the bed of the injured soldiers and listen to their stories of courage and sacrifice. 

Jill Biden honours children and caregivers of injured troops

Jill Biden further added that after some time, she build a relationship with the families of troops and she still thinks about the children in those hospital rooms. Jill Biden said, “I would sit near the beds of the wounded warriors, usually with a spouse close by, and listen to their stories of courage and sacrifice,” as per the news agency. She further added, “Over time, I built relationships with those families. And my heart went out to the spouses who cared for them, so often young moms, bouncing babies on the hips.” 

Jill Biden stated that she was aware of the pain that the children are going through and assured them that they are not alone to face the trauma. Biden assured support to troops and their families when they suffered injuries, illnesses. Jill Biden said, “Our troops and their families need to know that if they ever face injuries, illnesses or wounds, we will have your back,” as per the news agency. Sylvia Lopez, a mother and wife shared how her children helped with their father's illness. 

(With inputs from AP)

(Image: AP)