First Lady and Second Lady recognize strength of military families during Fort Rucker visit | Article

FORT RUCKER, Ala. — A full hangar of Soldiers and their families came together Nov. 12 to welcome First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Usha Vance during a historic visit honoring the people behind Army Aviation.

The event marked the first visit of its kind to Fort Rucker and only the second military installation visit the First Lady and Second Lady have done together. For the Fort Rucker community, it was a rare and meaningful opportunity to showcase the strength and spirit of Army Aviation Families.

Before introducing the guests, Maj. Gen. Philip C. Baker, commanding general of the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker, energized the crowd with a call and response reflecting the pride of the Army Aviation community.

“Above the best!” Baker called out. “Fly Army!” the audience roared.

Baker thanked the many teams and hands who helped bring the event together, then welcomed the distinguished guests to the Home of Army Aviation.

“Today, as we celebrate Military Family Appreciation Month, we turn our focus to you the spouses and the children, who form the bedrock of our military readiness,” Baker said. “Ms. Trump, Ms. Vance, welcome to Fort Rucker. You being here today is truly a historical event.”

Vance greeted the audience with warmth and immediately recognized the significance of being among the Fort Rucker community. “Hello, everyone. Thank you for that warm welcome, it’s such a pleasure to be here on this beautiful fall day at Fort Rucker.”

With Thanksgiving approaching, Vance said she wanted to share her gratitude for the Soldiers who stand ready to serve wherever the nation sends them.

“The men and women serving on this base stand ready to answer our nation’s call, wherever it might take you,” Vance said. “You’ve chosen to accept that duty not for personal enrichment or glory, but out of devotion to your families and communities, to all of your fellow Americans.”

“For that,” she added, “our nation and our family is indebted to you.”

Vance said that she connected personally with the military families in attendance through her husband, Vice President J.D. Vance’s, Marine Corps service.

“My husband, J.D., served in the Marine Corps and I know from him just how much service asks of families,” she said. “Like our men and women in uniform, the children and spouses who call this base home make great sacrifices.”

She praised the unique way military families build community and create a sense of home through every move, deployment and new duty station.

“One thing that I cherish about visiting places like this is seeing the close-knit communities that military families build together on base,” Vance said. “Wherever your country sends you, you find a way to make it a home. And today, I’m so grateful to all of you for welcoming us into your home.”

The First Lady and Second Lady also visited Ellis D. Parker Elementary School on Fort Rucker, where they would see firsthand the work being done to support military-connected children.

“Your schools are a moving reminder of just how much our military communities invest in the next generation,” Vance said. She highlighted her commitment to literacy and education, noting that more than 30,000 children across the country participated in her summer reading challenge and logged 360,000 books.

“Ensuring that every American child receives a great education is one of my personal priorities,” she said.

Trump took the stage to a warm welcome and focused her remarks on the strength of military families especially during the holidays, when separations can be felt most deeply.

“Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away,” Trump said. “And as I look across this room at Fort Rucker today, I want to take a moment to say thank you to one very important group of people, the families of America’s military.”

“Your role is profound,” she said. Trump acknowledged the responsibilities carried by spouses and families while their loved ones serve.

“While your loved ones are deployed, it is up to you to keep your family strong, keep your children safe, and keep your homes full of love,” Trump said. “This is a big responsibility. I recognize that your sacrifices extend far beyond Thanksgiving.”

She spoke passionately on the quiet moments military families experience during long deployments or training away from home.

“I know each of you has those quiet moments when you are on your own, and you wish your loved one was home to help with homework, to be there to celebrate that winning touchdown, the birthdays and, of course, bedtime,” Trump said.

“The sacrifices of military families don’t make the headlines,” she continued. “But you are the foundation for the world’s most capable military.”

Trump recognized Fort Rucker’s central role in preparing the Army’s aviators and sustaining the force that protects the nation.

“Here, at Fort Rucker, we see powerful aircraft take off to the heavens,” she said. “But behind the strength of those pilots who rise into the skies is the work of your loved ones who remain on the ground.”

She recognized that military families’ sacrifices are directly connected to the freedoms enjoyed across the country.

“At its heart, service in the United States military is a commitment to defend our Constitution,” Trump said. “Your service is not transactional in nature. Your service will have an impact for generations.”

With the holiday season approaching, Trump encouraged Americans to remember those serving and the families who may have an empty seat at their table this year.

“Take a moment to think of America’s service people and the families with an open seat at their Thanksgiving table,” she said. “Those families are just as important in maintaining America’s elite status and in protecting our freedom.”

Trump concluded with encouragement for the families before stepping into the Thanksgiving season “May God bless our military families.”

Find more photos from the event are available on Fort Rucker’s Flickr page.