Delaware To Rename National Guard Headquarters In Honor Of Beau Biden
NEW CASTLE, Del. (CBS) -- The late son of Vice President Joe Biden is being remembered in Delaware. The state is set to rename its National Guard Headquarters in New Castle after Beau Biden.
For Beau Biden, it was always about serving- his family as a dad, his state as attorney general, his country enlisting in the Army National Guard following 9/11.
"He and his dad came in one day and spoke to me and I had the distinct honor of administering the oath of office to Beau," says Major General Frank Vavala of the Delaware National Guard.
But Major General Frank Vavala says as Beau grew into his new role as a citizen soldier, training in these halls... working in the Adjutant General's Office... he touched the lives of his fellow citizens and commanders.
"I think of him every day. Beau is like a son to me," Vavala says.
And in 2008, deployed to Iraq for a year, he returned with the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star and the gratitude of those who knew that he didn't have to go, he wanted to go.
Beau never asked for any special considerations, he wanted to go with his unit and he did," Vavala says.
And now there will be more than memories of Beau Biden's service. The building where he trained will now carry his name always: The Major Joseph R. Beau Biden 111 Armed Forces Reserve Center.
The name, it's hoped, an inspiration for future generations who come here to selflessly serve as he did.
"People who follow us in service to state and nation will be able to see his name there and reflect on what he did and the sacrifices that he made," Major General Vavala says.
The formal name change and dedication will take place this Spring.