Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, left, and Mary Tarbet, wife of Major General Brian L. Tarbet of the Utah National Guard, laugh as they talk with families during a stop to visit military families at the Utah National Guard base in Salt Lake City Tuesday, July 10, 2012.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
SALT LAKE CITY — Sherilyn Williams wiped away tears as she described having the opportunity to share with the wife of the vice president Tuesday what it means to have a son in the military deployed overseas.
Jill Biden visited with about 100 family members of troops serving abroad as well as some recently returned airmen and soldiers at the Utah Air National Guard Base while her husband, Vice President Joe Biden, was headlining a campaign fundraiser in Park City.
But November's presidential election was the furthest thing from Williams' mind as she told Biden about her 20-year-old son, Airman 1st Class Colby Williams, who volunteered for duty in Afghanistan and is already talking about signing up for another tour.
"You know, I don't look at it politically. I look at it as a mom to a mom. She sent her son over and she understands where I'm at as a mom. And I appreciate her support," the Sandy mother said, calling their exchange, "just an emotional mother moment."
The Bidens' son, Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, served in Iraq as a member of the Delaware Army National Guard and Jill Biden is heading up a national initiative, Joining Forces, to support those serving in the military along with their families.
"I really know what's it's like. It's not easy," Biden said, describing to Williams how she said a prayer each morning for her own son when he was in Iraq. "It's just constantly on your mind all day long and people don't realize that."
Before embracing Williams, Biden said those serving are "so strong and resilient, don't you think. This is what they do. It's their job and they love it. And sometimes you wished they didn't."
Army National Guard helicopter pilot Mark Kattelman of Bountiful, who returned from Afghanistan just two weeks ago, got a little teasing from the vice president's wife about his new beard along with a thank you for his service.
"It means a lot," Kattelman said. "Especially the emphasis that she's putting on family. I know my wife, she had the hard job," raising their young children on her own in his absence.
His wife, Natalie, said she wasn't sure what to expect from Biden's appearance, especially since the vice president was in Utah only to hold a fundraiser for President Barack Obama's re-election.
