INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) – Former Indiana first lady Susan Bayh made her first public appearance Saturday since she was diagnosed with a brain tumor this spring.
Susan Bayh was on hand at the Indiana War Memorial to celebrate her sons, Nick and Beau Bayh, who are both entering the armed forces.
The twins took their respective oaths in a ceremony Saturday night.
Nick Bayh is headed for the Army and Beau for the Marines. The boys talked about their choices to join the military and also, who should get the credit.
"I've always been drawn to the Marine Corps, since I was a little kid," said Beau. "And one of the reasons is just the esprit de corps and the camaraderie you see among Marines."
"What appealed to me about the Army," said Nick, "was every Army officer has to go to basic training and you get individuals from all walks of life. And I think that's going to be a real learning experience for me. And second of all, I really like the military intelligence program of the Army. I thought the military is headed in that direction and the Army military intelligence is the best in the world."
"Today was in some sense was supposed to be a celebration of us but I think that I want to just push the spotlight back to my parents and the people in the room who were supporting us, and my grandparents and everyone who's given us the opportunities that we have. We've been so lucky," said Beau. "There's countless people in this country, in the world, that have not had nearly enough or nearly the same opportunities and doors open that we've been lucky enough to have."
Susan Bayh has the same type of brain tumor as Senator John McCain, who passed away Saturday.
However, she's pursued a different treatment course and said she is encouraged about the future.