People had to pass through security before entering Legislative Hall where the body of Beau Biden lies in honor Thursday. (Delaware State News/Dave Chambers)
Delawareans wait in line outside Legislative Hall for a chance to pay their respects to Beau Biden Thursday afternoon. (Delaware State News/Dave Chambers)
Media trucks sit along Federal Street during the public viewing for Beau Biden. (Delaware State News/Dave Chambers)
Vice President Biden and family follow the casket carrying his late son, Beau, up the steps of Legislative Hall Thursday. (Delaware State News/Andrew West)
An honor guard carries the casket of Beau Biden into Legislative Hall. (Delaware State News/Andrew West)
Gov. Jack Markell and other Delaware dignitaries observe the arrival of Beau Biden's body at Legislative Hall. (Delaware State News/Andrew West)
Vice President Biden's limo rolls toward Legislative Hall Thursday. (Delaware State News/Andrew West)
The procession for Beau Biden's public viewing in Dover rolls into Dover Thursday. (Delaware State News/Dave Chambers)
Vice President Biden's limousine passes the Delaware State Police headquarters in Dover Thursday. (Delaware State News/Dave Chambers)
Crowds lined the streets around Legislative Hall in advance of the public viewing Thursday. (Delaware State News/Dave Chambers)
An honor guard carries the casket with Beau Biden through the front doors of Legislative Hall. (Delaware State News/Andrew West)
The car carrying Vice President Joe Biden approaches Legislative Hall. (Delaware State News/Andrew West)
Vice President Joe Biden is seated in the front passenger seat of a limousine headed to the state capital. (Delaware State News/Andrew West)
A Mealey Funeral Home hearse carried the body of Beau Biden into Dover. (Delaware State News/Andrew West)
Security is in place on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in advance of the procession arriving. (Delaware State News/Andrew West)
Security measures on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. (Delaware State News/Andrew West)
A bus stop sign on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is closed today. (Delaware State News/Andrew West)
Security gathers in front of Legislative Hall in Dover Thursday morning. (Delaware State News/Matt Bittle)
Cranes are used to create an arch for the U.S. flag. (Delaware State News/Matt Bittle)
Preparations are underway inside Legislative Hall where Beau Biden's body will lie in honor. (Delaware State News/Matt Bittle)
DOVER — By 3 p.m., the line of mourners at Legislative Hall was slowing, but it still stretched to the grassy mall.
Under gray skies, between intermittent showers, the hushed crowd waited to pay their respects to Beau Biden. State troopers watched from horseback on Legislative Mall.
“The Bidens are all about family, and family includes friends,” said Claire DeMatteis, who served as senior counsel to Joe Biden for many years.
“As longtime friends, we’re here to pay our respects and let the family know we’re always there for them.”
Following a private ceremony Thursday, hundreds of mourners streamed into Legislative Hall on Thursday.
“Mr. Biden was a well-respected public figure in the state, as is his family and he was a very caring individual,” said William Johnston, the outgoing president of Wesley College.
“And the right thing to do is to show respect. It illustrates respect, I think, for him, his family and the country.”
Visitors included noteworthy out-of-towners and Some of the people in line grew up with Mr. Biden, or met him once or twice. Some were in military uniforms and dark suits. Others wore jeans. Parker Schmidt, 10, standing by his dad, wore his scout uniform. Like everyone else, they were their “to show our respects for Beau Biden,” he said.
It’s about respect, said his father, Martin Schmidt. Earlier, he said, they worked to make sure all the flags were lowered to half-mast.
“We just think the Biden family is an outstanding family,” said Montye Brown.
Mr. Brown and Jill Brown were walking along the sidewalk to join the line.
“He was a good man,” Ms. Brown added.
Natalie Belcher, who teaches English at Delaware State University, said that one of her former students, Darius Brown, introduced her to Mr. Biden.
Mr. Brown was always interested in politics, Ms. Belcher said, and Mr. Biden was a mentor to him.
“He was quite impressed by him. He was determined to be a public serviceman,” she said.
