Amid a sea of solemn faces and American flags, President Joe Biden gave a deeply emotional farewell at Arlington National Cemetery during his last Veterans Day address as commander in chief.

Marking his final appearance at this revered event, Biden expressed his profound gratitude for his time as president and amplified his dedication to military and veteran affairs, as the Daily Mail reports.

With Vice President Kamala Harris by his side for the first time publicly since her electoral defeat, the setting was poignant. This was Biden's last official Veterans Day speech, confirming his impending departure from office.

Biden's voice cracked with emotion as he spoke, declaring, "This is the last time I will stand here at Arlington as commander in chief," he began.

"It's been the greatest honor of my life; to lead you, to serve you, to care for you, to defend you, just as you defended us, generation after generation," he went on.

Throughout his address, Biden lauded the U.S. military, referring to them as "the greatest fighting force." His remarks came just days after Donald Trump's sweeping victory over Harris in the presidential election.

Emotional Reactions and Political Transitions

First lady Jill Biden remained composed throughout the ceremony, contrasting with her husband's visible emotion. This event not only underscored Biden's farewell but also highlighted a critical moment of transition in U.S. leadership.

Biden's Veterans Day speech was not just a goodbye but also a recap of what he said were his administration's commitments and accomplishments, particularly regarding military and veteran affairs.

Notably, he defended his controversial decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Afghanistan, insisting he did not regret ending America’s longest war.

"Four presidents faced a decision after we had gotten bin Laden -- whether to end our longest war in history," Biden stated. "I was determined not to leave it to a fifth."

PACT Act Enhancements and Veterans' Health

The president took the opportunity to announce significant enhancements to the PACT Act, particularly concerning cancer care for veterans, which he connected emotionally to his son Beau's battle with cancer, suspected to have been caused by toxic exposures during his service in Iraq.

"Today I'm proud to announce that the VA will expand the number of cancers covered under the PACT Act," Biden announced. "God willing we will make sure any rare condition you develop is covered. We are committed to getting the rule in place by the end of my term."

Biden emphasized the importance of these enhancements, saying, "Folks, this matters. Too many of our nation's veterans have served only to return home to suffer from the permanent effects of poisonous chemicals. Too many have died."

Transition of Power and Future Meetings

Amid these emotional moments, the speech also served as a prelude to a planned meeting with Donald Trump to discuss the transition of power, set for the upcoming Wednesday.

This meeting aims to facilitate a smoother transition than in 2020 when Trump contested the election results.

Biden's involvement in Harris's campaign had waned towards the end after a controversial comment he made, which the White House later clarified did not refer to Puerto Ricans but to a Trump-aligned comedian.

Despite this, Biden acknowledged Harris during his speech, signaling a unified front despite the recent electoral outcome.

The ceremony, enriched with a performance of "God Bless America," saw Biden emotionally moved, a testament to his deep connection with the role he was soon to leave behind.