On Thursday, Vice President Mike Pence paid a surprise visit to the troops in Afghanistan, another indication of how much that the Trump administration values the service and sacrifices of the military.
Pence’s trip to Kabul was kept secret out of security concerns and he was the highest ranked official of the administration to visit a combat zone since President Trump took office.
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In addition to his own speech to our brave men and women at Bagram Air Field, the Vice President carried a very special holiday message from the President: “Tell them I love them.”
Before I left the @WhiteHouse yesterday, I asked @POTUS Trump if he had a message for our troops here in Afghanistan. And he looked at me and said, “Tell them I love them.” pic.twitter.com/PO4F7Z5vOx
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) December 21, 2017
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It was an expression straight from the heart and message to the military that times have changed since the Obama era and that the commander in chief has their back.
Pence told troops that Trump had this simple message: 'Tell them I love them.' https://t.co/yJWR678bXx
— Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) December 22, 2017
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Via Stars and Stripes:
In the dark of night, he traveled via helicopter to the Presidential Palace in Kabul — a trip that almost didn’t happen because visibility was low. Four helicopters took off without knowing whether they would be able to land. After they circled over Kabul, there was a brief break in the weather, allowing Pence to swoop in.
He met with President Ashraf Ghani and the country’s chief executive, Abdullah Abdullah, both of whom he regularly communicates with on behalf of Trump.
“I hope my presence here is tangible evidence that the leadership of President Trump, our administration and the armed forces that we are here to see this through,” Pence said in the opening minutes of a meeting with Ghani and his staff.
After meeting for about 45 minutes, Pence returned to the airfield and spoke to about 500 troops for 20 minutes. He opened his remarks by passing along greetings from Trump, who has yet to visit a combat zone as president.
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Pence said that Trump had this simple message: “Tell them I love them.”
The vice president thanked the troops for serving their country and being away from their families at Christmas, calling them heroes and the “world’s greatest force for good.” Pence’s voice was raspy from a cold and his eyes showed the exhaustion of long overseas travel following late-night congressional votes.
While Pence was delivering the message to the troops spending the holidays in harm’s way, President Trump paid a visit to wounded veterans at Walter Reed Medical Center where he awarded a Purple Heart medal to an American hero.
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One of the most powerful moments of my life watching @POTUS give the Purple Heart to this American Hero. Amazed by the strength and resilience of the men and women in our Armed Forces. pic.twitter.com/AtoaboF4DE
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) December 21, 2017
Today, @POTUS @realDonaldTrump presented the Purple Heart to an American Hero, at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. pic.twitter.com/xvSg35Xs70
— Dan Scavino Jr. (@Scavino45) December 21, 2017
In addition to the holiday message of support sent by Trump and Pence, all Americans should set aside a moment this Christmas to reflect on the selfless sacrifice and dedication of those who put their lives on the line so that we can remain free.
