Jill Biden visits with sub crew, families

port, military and veterans' families, caregivers and survivors, is working to make sure they have the resources they need and the opportunity they want.

After Biden's address, crew members and family members lined up to take photos with her. She smiled, greeted them and handed out Challenger coins as holiday music played. The museum was decorated with Christmas trees and gold ribbons, and there were activities for children.

The USS Delaware, a Virginia-class attack submarine commissioned in 2020, has an approximately 130-member crew commanded by Robert Low. It completed its six-month maiden deployment to US Sixth Fleet in August 2023.

This was not Biden's first visit to Groton. In 2021, she and Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro visited with the USS Delaware families at the U.S. Submarine Veterans Club in Groton.

Nicole Cruz-Glacken, the spouse of USS Delaware Executive Officer Lt. Cmdr. Christopher E. Glacken, thanked Biden for what she has represented so far, especially for military spouses. She said it's difficult for military families to move from state to state, especially with education and work certification, which are all issues Biden has advocated for and she has benefited from.

She said she is honored that the first lady came to visit with the USS Delaware families and crew members, because she knows she has a busy schedule.

“I know there are very important things going on and coming up, so for her to be here with us tonight, for me especially as military spouse, it's moving,” Cruz-Glacken said.

Karen Vrazel, whose husband, Marshall Vrazel, is a petty officer third class on the Delaware, said she is excited to move from Texas to Groton in about three months. But Vrazel, an English teacher in Texas, said she is worried about finding the same type of job in Connecticut. She said she is sure Biden, an educator, understands completely her situation and she is very grateful.

Capt. Thomas O'Donnell, commodore of Submarine Squadron 12, also welcomed the families and crew. Town Mayor Rachael Franco, City of Groton Mayor Keith Hedrick and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., were also present at the event.

Outside the museum gates on Thursday evening, pro-Palestine protesters held signs and chanted.

Biden arrived Thursday evening at the Groton-New London Airport after speaking at an event earlier in the day focused on women's health and

menopause at the University of Illinois-Chicago with actress

Halle Berry.