PHOTOS: JD Vance fulfills promise to celebrate his mother’s 10-year sobriety at White House

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From the Washington Examiner: Vice President JD Vance stood at the head of the table in the Roosevelt Room during one of the most significant moments of his life, joined by his mother, Beverly Aikins. Despite the presence of about 20 family members and friends, including his wife, Usha, and their three children, there was a brief moment when it felt like only JD and his mother existed as their eyes met and locked.

“I remember when I gave my RNC convention speech, which was the craziest thing, and I even said during the speech that we would have your 10-year medallion ceremony at the White House,” Vance said, smiling as he motioned around the historic West Wing meeting room named after two former presidents.

“Well, here we are. And you made it, and we made it. And most importantly, you’re celebrating a very, very big milestone. And I’m just very proud of you,” he said as he teared up, adding, “I’m, I’m gonna try not to cry here.”

For everyone in attendance who had traveled from Kentucky and Ohio to share this important milestone with Aikins and Vance, the word “here” wasn’t just significant because they were in the White House conference room across from the Oval Office. The word “here” also meant that Aikins had survived the addiction that had left her and her son’s life in turmoil for decades.

The report notes that it was Aikins’s mother, Bonnie Vance, who VP JD Vance called “Mamaw,” who helped raise him when his mother could not.

The celebration at the White House was held on Friday of last week.

“When I think about everything you’ve accomplished over the last 10 years and the fact that when I was thinking about becoming a father, I didn’t know whether you would live long enough to have a relationship with my kids. And now here they are, almost 8, 5, and 3, and you’re the best grandmother that these kids could ever ask for,” Vance told his mother during his remarks at the event.

A couple years ago, Aikins regained her nursing license and now works at a substance abuse treatment center as a nurse educator, the report explains.  In addition to family members, several others attending the special event were former addicts she has helped through recovery in her role as a detox nurse.

After Vance’s emotion tribute to his mother, others spoke up about how she had changed their lives, or cheered her recovery.

Below is one moving excerpt from the report:

It was a stateroom meant for dignitaries and decision-makers. Only on this day, it was filled with everyday Americans, the sons and daughters of steelworkers, nurses, and clerks, people in awe of having the privilege of not just being in the White House but also honoring a grandmother who almost didn’t make it to see her grandchildren, or see her son overcome every disadvantage to become a Marine, a U.S. senator, and the vice president.

READ MORE from the Washington Examiner.

“This year marks my mom’s 10th year of sobriety, and I’m grateful that we were able to celebrate in the White House with our family. Mom, I am so proud of you,” Vance wrote, sharing photos of the special occasion on social media.

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