STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- It's not every day that a sitting president touches down via helicopter on Staten Island. In fact, the last time that happened was 12 years ago after Hurricane Sandy ravaged the borough's shoreline.
But this visit was for a much happier occasion -- to mark the service of the U.S. Coast Guard members stationed here on Staten Island.
President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden traveled via Air Force One to John F. Kennedy International Airport before landing in Miller Field by helicopter. Their visit's purpose was a "Friendsgiving Event" during Thanksgiving week to break bread with service members and their families at the U.S. Coast Guard Sector New York in Fort Wadsworth.
After touching down onto Miler Field at about 5:30 p.m. on Monday, the president waved quickly to the hundreds of people lined up behind the barricades erected along the border of Miller Field to catch a glimpse of the commander in chief and first lady.
The Bidens were then whisked away via motorcade to U.S. Coast Guard Sector New York.
The First Lady Speaks
Once inside, the president and first lady addressed more than 350 Coast Guard members and their families as part of the first lady's Joining Forces initiative.
"It's been the honor of this military mom's life to serve as your first lady, and to meet with military families through my Joining Forces initiative," said the first lady.
"You've trusted me with your stories and your challenges. I'm proud that in Joe's administration, we've made it easier for spouses to bring their careers with them when they move, and we're making sure that kids with disabilities have the support they need at their new schools. As Coasties split their days between waves and land, you find home in the little moments; in bear hugs and big smiles on little faces; in the people whose love warms you even on the coldest days; the bonds built on shore and the ones forged on water. That's what Friendsgiving is about -- the families you create together," added the first lady.
President Biden Expresses Gratitude
President Biden "broke the ice" by telling the military crowd that he was a "pretty good" high school football player, and one of his teammates went on to become a quarterback for the Coast Guard team, "in 1912."
"That's when we graduated," joked Biden, referring to his age compared to the Coast Guard members assembled.
But then he expressed gratitude to the Coast Guard members assembled.
"You're an incredible group," he said. "Coasties are incredible. I've had the opportunity to do the commencement speech at the (Coast Guard) Academy for a number of years, and you're incredible. I really mean it. No branch in the military is stationed in more places than all of you.
"You're there for everything. And folks, I know you're hungry, so I won't speak pretty long, but just thank you. Thank you. Thank you for all you do and continue to do."
The president also cited particular occasions when the Coast Guard came to the aid of the nation.
"The Coast Guard motto 'always ready,' over the last years took on a sense of truth that they hadn't had in a long while," said Biden. "When Iran sent weapons to the Houthis, you teamed up with the Navy, and you intercepted them. When the Baltimore Bridge collapsed . . . you arrived within minutes to help reopen the port in record time. When Hurricane Helene hit, you rushed to the front lines of search-and-rescue missions up and down the coast.
"When Hurricane Milton hit, less than two weeks later, you stepped up again to help your fellow Americans. I also want to note that every day, here in New York, you keep this port secure and the people safe, and the world knows it. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you," Biden continued.
"Simply put, we owe you," he said. "We owe your families. With all due respect to those in uniform, we don't thank your families enough . . . I want to thank them, as well."
After the speeches, Coast Guard members and their families were treated to a Thanksgiving feast catered by well-known White House Chef Robert Irvine.
Meeting with Rep. Malliotakis
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn) attended the event, and welcomed Biden to the Island.
"I was able to greet him in the back and speak to him privately. I thanked him for coming to Staten Island," said Malliotakis. "I was happy that we were able to cross party lines to support our service members."
The congresswoman said the private conversation highlighted the benefits of the Federal Infrastructure Law she helped pass through Congress that will benefit the Coast Guard base at Fort Wadsworth.
"I pointed out that the infrastructure law that we produced actually provides millions of dollars for this particular base for housing our Coasties," said Malliotakis. "They're going to get major improvements to housing ... That critical funding will improve their quality of life and make the repairs for their pier. And this (will go toward the military) pay raise, which is the biggest pay raise that they received in two decades.
"... We have our differences, I have fought him (Biden) tooth and nail on so many things, but at least when it comes to our servicemembers, we were able to agree on those pieces. And that's important, because the Coast Guard does such great work. They do the search and rescue. They do national security counterterrorism. Particularly here in New York, they have a very important, critical role to our public safety and national security."
Islanders Line Up to Get a Glimpse
Hundreds of Staten Island residents lined New Dorp Lane between New Dorp High School and Cedar Grove Lane, emerging from their homes at about 5 p.m., phones in hand, to witness a fleet of four presidential helicopters land on Miller Field. The flashing lights of dozens of first responder vehicles illuminated the dark baseball and soccer fields, which were completely cleared and secured before the president and first lady arrived.
I'm really excited to see him," said Megan Medina, 13, who was joined by her mother, Marina. "You only see things like this on TV, not in your own neighborhood."
James and Susan Tonrey, of Richmond, held a handmade sign that read: "We love you Joe Biden and First Lady Jill . . . 46."
"There's been a lot of hubbub about him, but he's done a very good job, and we wanted to show our respect," James Tonrey said.
"No matter what your political views are, you have to come out and see the sitting president if he's in your neighborhood," noted Victoria McFarland, of New Dorp Beach, who set up a few beach chairs on the sidewalk with friends. "It's definitely something to see."
Many Islanders also waited along the motorcade route in South Beach, and Fort Wadsworth to catch a glimpse of the president and first lady.
"I am here to see President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden coming to Staten Island," said Theresa Reed, of Silver Lake, while waiting for the presidential motorcade to pass on Father Capodanno Boulevard in South Beach. "I have never seen an active president in person before, so I'm very excited to see him pass by."
Not a Warm Welcome from Some Residents
Not all Staten Islanders gave the Bidens a warm welcome. Two Staten Islanders took up spots in front of the former Island Shores senior home, which now serves as a shelter for migrants, with signs reading: "Stop Biden's Border Bloodbath" and "Trump America First/Biden America Last."
Meanwhile, a large "F**--Biden" sign was hung from a home on Father Capodanno Boulevard, just past Midland Avenue.
According to White House pool reports by the Washington Post, there was a small group of pro-Palestine protesters shouting and waving a Palestine flag as the motorcade passed. However, the location of the protest was not confirmed.
The last time a sitting president visited Staten Island was in 2012, when then-President Barack Obama visited New Dorp to speak with residents and survey the damage after Hurricane Sandy.
Reporting from The Washington Post White House pool reporting was used in this report.
(c) 2024 Staten Island Advance, N.Y.
Visit Staten Island Advance, N.Y. at www.silive.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
