Biden expresses gratitude to military personnel for their 'fortitude' and 'honesty' during challenging circumstances in his farewell address.

On Thursday, President Biden expressed gratitude to service members for their "fortitude" and "honesty" during his farewell speech in Virginia.

"The president stated at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Virginia that there has never been a time when our military has been asked to do so many different things in so many places simultaneously. He emphasized that the military has completed these missions with strength and integrity."

The day after his farewell address to the nation, Biden delivered an address to troops, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the 46th president.

It also comes four days before President-elect Trump succeeds him.

"Biden addressed the troops, stating, "You embody the essence of America: character, honesty, integrity, and dedication." He declared, "You are unquestionably the greatest military force the world has ever seen.""

The president commended the troops for their bravery in ending the war in Afghanistan, which involved evacuating Americans, allies, and Afghan partners, and accomplished the largest airlift in military history. The same courage is defined by American service in Afghanistan for over 20 years.

He stated that he believes history will reflect that it was the right thing to do, but he acknowledges that it was difficult after decades of losing family members, including during the withdrawal. The pain was still real for him as well, and he carries it with him every day.

The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan has been met with criticism, particularly regarding the deaths of 13 American service members.

After American troops left Afghanistan six months ago, "when Russia launched its largest war in Europe since World War II, I asked you to assist in defending Ukraine. You didn't hesitate. You aided Ukraine in maintaining the fight, trained Ukrainian soldiers and pilots, troops, and fortified NATO's eastern flank. Most importantly, you demonstrated to the world that America stands for freedom and supports its allies."

He also praised the Israel-Hamas cease-fire agreement, which was revealed on Wednesday and had been previously mentioned in his final speech to the country.

"He admitted that the road to that deal was not easy and that he had presented the elements of that deal eight months ago."

President-elect Trump has also taken credit for the cease-fire.

"The ceasefire agreement was a result of our historic victory in November, which signaled to the world that my administration would seek peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans and our allies. I am thrilled that American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones."

In his speech, Biden expressed gratitude to military families for their "immense sacrifices."

"He stated, "The majority of Americans are unaware of the daily sacrifices you make." He added, "They never witness the holidays and birthdays with an empty seat at the dinner table due to deployment. They never experience the numerous moves you have to make to new states, schools, and jobs.""

At the conclusion of his speech, he stated, "The American military is the greatest fighting force in history, with exceptional training, equipment, and vehicles."

"Our strength lies not solely in our actions, but in our shared values as Americans. These values include honor, integrity, unity, and a dedication to protecting and defending our nation. It is not about a specific person, party, or location, but an idea that unites us all."

During Biden's farewell speech, Lloyd Austin and CQ Brown, the Secretary of Defense and Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, respectively, thanked the president for his service in their own remarks, which were part of the commander in chief farewell tribute to the president.