Transcript - Remarks: Joe Biden and Jill Biden Attend a Marine Corps Toys for Tots Event - December 12, 2022 | Factba.se

Jill Biden

00:00:00 - 00:00:12 ()

Thank you. Thank you very much. And -- and thank you to your family as well. And thank you for your service.

Jill Biden

00:00:12 - 00:00:27 ()

And I'm so happy to be with some great friends today, who also happen to be the spouses of our senior Department of Defense and service leaders, and I want to thank them for helping -- for coming to help out.

Jill Biden

00:00:27 - 00:00:31 ()

So, Merry Christmas and happy holidays.

Jill Biden

00:00:31 - 00:00:34 ()

I'm sorry, I have laryngitis. [Laughs]

Jill Biden

00:00:34 - 00:00:37 ()

So, how many of you know this book?

Jill Biden

00:00:37 - 00:00:37 ()

[Holds up "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."]

Jill Biden

00:00:37 - 00:00:50 ()

Oh, everybody. Wow. Okay. [Laughs] I love this book. And, as a matter of fact, I might have -- I might have dressed up as the Grinch for a White House event when I was Second Lady.

Jill Biden

00:00:50 - 00:01:00 ()

But -- and you probably know the whole story of the Grinch, but I'd like to read you one of my favorite parts.

Jill Biden

00:01:00 - 00:01:37 ()

Okay, actually, is there someone who would want to come up and read the one page? So -- are you a good reader? Yeah? You come on up.

Jill Biden

00:01:37 - 00:01:51 ()

That way I -- here, we'll give him the apple box.

Jill Biden

00:01:51 - 00:01:54 ()

Okay. Just this page.

Jill Biden

00:01:54 - 00:01:54 ()

[A child reads a page from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."]

Jill Biden

00:01:54 - 00:02:07 ()

Thank you. [Applause] You did a great job. What's your name?

Unidentified Child

00:02:07 - 00:02:08 ()

Jill Biden

00:02:08 - 00:02:19 ()

Adam. Thank you, Adam. [Applause] Wow. [Laughs] You did a great job.

Jill Biden

00:02:19 - 00:02:45 ()

So, if there's one group of kids who understands that the holiday- -- what the holidays are about more than what's under the tree, it's you -- all of you -- our military children.

Jill Biden

00:02:45 - 00:03:05 ()

And you understand that gifts that mean the most can't be the ones held in our hands. You need a friend or time with the people you love, or the chance to serve your community and your country with honor and pride. Those things can't be bought. They're only given with our hearts.

Jill Biden

00:03:05 - 00:03:30 ()

So, military kids like you give our country so much. You support your parents through moves and deployments. And you sometimes help take care of the family members who came home with, maybe, illnesses or injuries. And you help out neighbors when they need it, just like you're going to do today.

Jill Biden

00:03:30 - 00:03:37 ()

Now, I bet a lot of you put up trees and lights at your home already. How many have you -- have done that?

Jill Biden

00:03:37 - 00:03:39 ()

Most of you. Wow.

Jill Biden

00:03:39 - 00:03:47 ()

Well, at the White House, we do the same thing. But how many trees do you think we have?

Jill Biden

00:03:47 - 00:03:50 ()

Wait, wait -- how many do you think?

Unidentified Child

00:03:50 - 00:03:51 ()

One hundred and fifty?

Jill Biden

00:03:51 - 00:03:54 ()

One hundred and fifty? That's close.

Jill Biden

00:03:54 - 00:03:55 ()

Okay, how about you?

Unidentified Child

00:03:55 - 00:04:00 ()

I think maybe, like, close to 65-ish.

Jill Biden

00:04:00 - 00:04:04 ()

Oh, close! Wow. You?

Unidentified Child

00:04:04 - 00:04:10 ()

One hundred and six.

Jill Biden

00:04:10 - 00:04:21 ()

One hundred and six. Well, you're all pretty close, because we have 77 trees in the White House. And I hope you all come and take a tour and visit. And we have millions of lights.

Jill Biden

00:04:21 - 00:04:36 ()

And we have one very special room called "We the Children." And it's decorated to honor kids just like you, with drawings and reflections of the magic that, really, children, like all of you, bring to our holidays.

Jill Biden

00:04:36 - 00:04:46 ()

And you remind us that even though we have a lot of challenges ahead, our future is full of promise because you are going to lead it.

Jill Biden

00:04:46 - 00:04:47 ()

Jill Biden

00:04:47 - 00:05:02 ()

Just like the Grinch himself, seeing all of you here, eagl- -- eager to make someone else's holiday a little more special, it's enough to make my heart grow three sizes as well.

Jill Biden

00:05:02 - 00:05:15 ()

So, thank you to Toys for Tots for bringing us all together. So, Merry Christmas, and may you receive as much love this holiday as you give.

Jill Biden

00:05:15 - 00:05:52 ()

And now, it's my honor and my pleasure to introduce our next speaker, Samara Donahue. And in addition to supporting her parents through deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, she has plans to follow in Joe's footsteps and become President of the United States. [Applause] I can't wait to vote for you.

Jill Biden

00:05:52 - 00:06:00 ()

And she has to finish -- she just has to finish school first -- [laughter] -- and wait about 25 years until she's eligible.

Jill Biden

00:06:00 - 00:06:18 ()

So, anyway, we are all rooting for you. So, come on up, and you can talk to everybody. [Applause]

Joe Biden

00:06:18 - 00:06:43 ()

When I was that age, I could hardly say my name in public. [Laughter] Actually, I used to stutter when I was a little boy, until I was in high school. It's the only thing everybody -- anyway. You're a very impressive child.

Jill Biden

00:06:43 - 00:06:45 ()

Joe Biden

00:06:45 - 00:06:46 ()

Joe Biden

00:06:46 - 00:07:05 ()

Good afternoon. And, Samara, thank you for everything. Kids like you are the reason why I've never been so optimistic about our country. Think about it.

Joe Biden

00:07:05 - 00:07:40 ()

I just have one request: When you're President of the United States and they say that Joe Biden is in the outer office, promise me you won't say to your staff, "Joe who?" [Laughter] You'll remember me?

Joe Biden

00:07:40 - 00:07:45 ()

All right. Okay. That's all I ask. [Laughs]

Joe Biden

00:07:45 - 00:08:07 ()

I also want to thank General Bellon for welcoming us today. And -- and I told him he and I have something in common: We both married way above our station. Mrs. Bellon, it's a pleasure to see you.

Joe Biden

00:08:07 - 00:08:29 ()

And, Lieutenant General Laster, you truly exemplify the Marine motto, "Always" -- "Always Faithful." Over 38 years of service in uniform and four more leading Toys for Tots, I want to thank you as well for not walking away.

Joe Biden

00:08:29 - 00:08:40 ()

Folks, it's an honor to -- to be with you celebrating the 75th anniversary of this incredible cause. And it is an incredible cause.

Joe Biden

00:08:40 - 00:08:44 ()

Toys for Tots is one of the best events of the year

Joe Biden

00:08:44 - 00:09:03 ()

at the White House. We set up donation boxes everywhere. And last week, one of the collection boxes in the Eisenhower building had things -- a huge thing -- stuffed animals, a smiling toy bunny perched on the edge. You can't see something like that without smiling. And that's what you all do.

Joe Biden

00:09:03 - 00:09:10 ()

For 75 years, you've brought joy and laughter and smiles to families all across this country.

Joe Biden

00:09:10 - 00:09:19 ()

Last year alone, you collected 22 million toys for more than 8 million children, giving Santa a run for his money.

Joe Biden

00:09:19 - 00:09:35 ()

And -- but unlike Santa, you don't wear big red suits. You don't travel the world in just one night. Instead, you wear Dress Blues and Army Greens. And as Marines, soldiers, sailors, you stand watch around the world every single night.

Joe Biden

00:09:35 - 00:09:46 ()

As Jill mentioned, we have a "We the Children"'s room at the White House. And one of the pieces of this year's broader holiday theme is "We the People," when you come to the White House.

Joe Biden

00:09:46 - 00:10:07 ()

Those are the very first words of our Constitution -- I say to all the adults. They're very idea of America. And in "We the People," we see you and the best of us -- the women and men who gave everything to our country and give back to our communities. You aren't just the heart and soul of our nation, you're the very spine of our nation. And we owe you.

Joe Biden

00:10:07 - 00:10:17 ()

In "We the People," we also see all the spouses, partners, and children here today. Jill and I know how much you give to our nation and how much you sacrifice.

Joe Biden

00:10:17 - 00:10:27 ()

The English poet, John Milton, once wrote, "They also serve who only stand and wait." And it's true.

Joe Biden

00:10:27 - 00:10:36 ()

We know that for those of you with husbands, wives, moms, dads, friends, loved ones deployed overseas, it can be extra tough this time of year.

Joe Biden

00:10:36 - 00:10:57 ()

When our son Beau was deployed in Iraq for a year, it was hard to look at that empty seat at the dinner table every night, particularly on the holidays. And for our granddaughters and grandson -- they were the same age as many of you here today -- it was even harder not to have their dad around on Christmas morning.

Joe Biden

00:10:57 - 00:11:08 ()

So I want to tell you what I told them: You have to keep brave -- you have to be brave. Even when your mommies and daddies are far away, they are so proud of you.

Joe Biden

00:11:08 - 00:11:22 ()

And I'm so proud of you, as your President. All of you here today, you all give back. You're helping other people, other kids, just like your parents are helping. And sometimes, just a little bit of help can change everything for someone.

Joe Biden

00:11:22 - 00:11:46 ()

I think about the story that Toys for Tots shared of a young girl, only nine years old, who fled violence from Nicaragua to come to the United States with her family. It about 35 years ago. Her parents had saved all the pennies they were able to get here. And they told her "Christmas isn't going to happen this year" when she arrived, 35 years ago.

Joe Biden

00:11:46 - 00:12:03 ()

But then one morning, a big Toys for Tots truck pulled up to her new home in San Jose. Marines hopped out, and she got to pick a gift. You know what she picked? A huge stuffed bunny. She used it as a pillow.

Joe Biden

00:12:03 - 00:12:17 ()

That little girl grow -- grew up to join the United States Marine Corps. She served our country in uniform for 26 years. She's now a Major in the Marine Corps. I wish she could be here today, but she's on active duty.

Joe Biden

00:12:17 - 00:12:42 ()

But she still remembers that first Christmas in the United States, and she shared her story with Toys for Tots -- because this program gives so much more than just gifts. It gives hope. You give community. And you are the inspiration that lasts a lifetime. And that's not hyperbole. You know it to be true in your gut. You've seen it in the face of -- the looks of these children.

Joe Biden

00:12:42 - 00:12:50 ()

So all of you kids, keep it up. Keep on being brave. Keep on being involved. Keep on helping other people.

Joe Biden

00:12:50 - 00:12:54 ()

And may God bless you all. You have a Merry Christmas. And may God protect our troops.

Joe Biden

00:12:54 - 00:12:57 ()

Now let's get sorting these gifts. Okay? You with me? [Applause] All right.

Joe Biden

00:12:57 - 00:12:57 ()

[The President sorts gifts with Toys for Tots volunteers]

Question

00:12:57 - 00:12:59 ()

Are you sending U.S. troops to Ukraine?

Joe Biden

00:12:59 - 00:13:01 ()

Are we sending troops to Ukraine?

Question

00:13:01 - 00:13:03 ()

Joe Biden

00:13:03 - 00:13:08 ()

No. We're sending material like we have. Billions of dollars' worth.