First Lady Melania Trump thanks troops at Joint Base Charleston for their service

By Live 5 Web Staff | October 28, 2019 at 3:42 PM EDT - Updated October 30 at 2:31 PM

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - First Lady Melania Trump thanked troops of Joint Base Charleston and their families for their service.

Trump spoke to a group more than 500, almost 90 percent of whom are active military members. The remainder of the guests are family members.

She began her remarks with a reference to the weekend military mission that ended with the death of IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

“Our military has never been stronger, or more capable than it is now,” she said. “And our nation will continue to stand strong in the face of any enemy.

She said she has toured military bases across the country and around the world.

“I’m reminded every time about the important missions you, our military do around the world,” she said. “You carry the message of duty, honor and country wherever you deploy our teams, a testament to our national unity, demonstrating every day how our communities can lean on each other and find the strength and courage to step forward when called upon in times of need. Whether it is missing loved ones currently deployed, or families struggling to cope with loss, the military community always demonstrates what the resilience look like in the face of adversity.”

The speech followed a visit by Trump and Second Lady Karen Pence which included a briefing from major emergency response teams at the base: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the 841st Transportation Battalion, the US Coast Guard, 437th and 315th Airlift Wings and the 628th Emergency Operations Center at Joint Base Charleston.

Earlier that morning, the pair visited nearby Lambs Elementary School where they spent time with 5th graders who are participating in the American Red Cross’s Pillowcase Project, an emergency response program designed to help children prepare mentally and physically for natural disasters.

During her speech, Trump praised the school for using “such an important program to help prepare children for emergencies.”

After arriving Wednesday morning at Joint Base Charleston, they were greeted by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster and First Lady Peggy McMaster.

https://www.live5news.com/2019/10/28/first-lady-melania-trump-second-lady-karen-pence-visit-charleston-wednesday/