Statement of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden on the Passing of General Raymond Odierno
We are devastated to learn of the death of General Raymond Odierno, US Army, retired. Ray was a giant in military circles—dedicated first and always to the service members he commanded and served alongside. And through almost four decades of service to our nation in uniform, he helped grow the United States Army into the modern fighting force it is today—an Army, in Odierno’s words, that is “admired and deeply respected by our Allies” and “feared by our adversaries.” When we think back on our time as Vice President and Second Lady, Ray was part of some of our most poignant memories—ones that will be with us for the rest of our lives. Ray welcomed us to Camp Victory in Iraq where, to honor July 4th, we helped to swear in as American citizens immigrants to our country who were already serving, fighting, and sacrificing on behalf of our nation. He was there to pass his wisdom on to West Point graduates as a fellow member of the Long Gray Line. Ray and his wife Linda were part...