July 30, 2010 - Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, attended a special screening at Fort Belvoir, Va., last night for an episode of the Lifetime series "Army Wives" in which Dr. Biden plays herself. Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. and his wife, Sheila, hosted the screening of the episode titled "Mud, Sweat and Tears," which is due to air Aug. 8 at 10 p.m. EDT.
In the episode, Dr. Biden visits the fictional Fort Marshall to host a fun run and to meet with members of the base's Gold Star Wives, a group composed of widows of servicemembers who died on active duty.
"In the last 18 months, I've done a lot of things I never dreamed I would do or could do," she said. "But when I got the opportunity to create awareness of the lives of military members and their families, it's something that I couldn't pass up."
Dr. Biden, an English professor at Northern Virginia Community College, said the experience of filming was wonderful and the cast members were "truly wonderful and supportive."
In introducing Dr. Biden at the screening, Sheila Casey said the role she plays in the "Army Wives" episode is one that she and the vice president play all around the country as they visit with and listen to soldiers and their families. She also noted her common bond with Dr. Biden, as both have sons who serve in the Army.
"She and I know firsthand of the triumphs and challenges of soldiers and their family members," she said, adding her thanks to Dr. Biden for putting military families in the spotlight.
General Casey noted that the television series presents a realistic portrayal of Army life.
"I was very impressed with the commitment of the production crew and the cast to accurately replicate the challenges of Army families," he said.
Dr. Biden said she agreed to go on the show because she wants to do all she can to keep America thinking about servicemembers and their families. To that end, she has started a national challenge with First Lady Michelle Obama to encourage Americans to perform small acts of kindness for military families.
"I wish [the American people] could see what Jill and I see as we go into Army hospitals or Thanksgiving dinners with soldiers," Vice President Biden said. "What absolutely blows me away is the continued sense of patriotism and the desire to serve, even with those who are mortally wounded."
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