Biden joins mourning Charleston church goers, shares loss of his son

CHARLESTON, S.C., June 29 (UPI) -- Vice President Joe Biden visited the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, N.C., on Sunday to join the mourning community as he also mourns the loss of his son.

Biden's son, Joseph "Beau" Biden III, died of brain cancer less than a month ago. On June 17, nine churchgoers were killed by a man who confessed he wanted to start a race war.

"The reason we came was to draw some strength from all of you, draw some strength from the church," Biden told the congregation Sunday. "I wish I could say something that would ease the pain of the families and of the church, but I know from experience, and I was reminded of it again 29 days ago, that no words can mend a broken heart."

Beau was first diagnosed in 2013 and underwent successful treatment at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, but the cancer recurred this spring. He was a former Delaware Attorney General and Iraq War veteran.

Charleston is also suffering from a significant loss.

Among those reportedly killed by Dylan Roof, 21, who confessed to gunning down the churchgoers near the end of a Bible study session, was South Carolina Sen. Clementa Pickney, 41, who was also a pastor at the church. A funeral service for Pickney was held Friday, where President Barack Obama delivered a touching eulogy.

The other victims were Cynthia Hurd, 54; Tywanza Sanders, 26; Myra Thompson, 59; Ethel Lance, 70; Susie Jackson, 87; and the reverends DePayne Middleton Doctor, 49; Sharonda Singleton, 45; and Daniel Simmons Sr., 74.

"I pray, I pray that the families will find refuge in the shadow of his wings, and I pray that the love that all of you have shown to them, and people around the country to me, will help mend the broken hearts of their families and mine," Biden added.