Biden, family members commemorate death of first wife, infant daughter

President Biden, the first lady and members of his family commemorated the anniversary of the death of his first wife, Neilia Biden, and their baby daughter, Naomi Biden, on Saturday, according to The Associated Press. 

The president and his family commemorated the 49th anniversary of their deaths in a car crash in 1972. 

The Bidens went to Saint Joseph on the Brandywine Roman Catholic Church in Greenville, Del., to visit the graves of both family members. Both Naomi and Neilia Biden died shortly after President Biden was elected to the Senate. 

According to the White House pool report, Hunter Biden was in attendance with his father. 

The car crash occurred while the family was on their way to pick up a Christmas tree, the AP noted. The president’s two sons, Hunter and Beau Biden, recovered after suffering serious injuries in the incident. In 1977, President Biden married Jill Biden.

As a presidential candidate and as commander in chief, President Biden has drawn on his experience of loss to express condolences to others whose loved ones have died.

Speaking at the Capitol Child Development Center in Hartford, Conn., in mid-October, President Biden said that commuting between Delaware and Washington, D.C., to see his children following the accident made him realize the struggle some Americans face to care for their kids.

“It made me realize how difficult it is for the vast majority of people who need help,” Biden told the audience. “I am lucky. I had a mother who’s nearby, a sister who’s my best friend who quit her job temporarily and moved in with her husband to help me raise my kids. But most people don’t have that option.”

The Hill has reached out to the White House for more information.