Image Credit: Vice President JD Vance / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
Vice President JD Vance spent last Wednesday with soldiers at Fort Campbell for an early Thanksgiving celebration, delivering a message of gratitude, patriotism, and appreciation for the 101st Airborne Division.
Before addressing the full division, the Second Family served food to troops and enjoyed their own meals with soldiers recognized as Best Quadrant and the Corps Soldier of the Quarter. Military supporter and musician Kid Rock kicked off the event and spoke about the impact service members have on the nation and individual Americans.
“I don’t think you understand sometimes how much you affect everyday people. Not just by your service to our country, protecting us and everything else you do unselfishly,” he said. “Thank you tremendously for your service, especially those who can’t spend it with your loved ones this year.” He then introduced the Vice President, calling him “a good, normal guy who fights for all of us here.”
Vance began his remarks by addressing the horrific shootings of two National Guardsmen in Washington, D.C. which happened only a couple of hours prior to his taking the stage. Both were shot in the chest and head after being ambushed on the street by the suspect, an Afghan “refugee” who arrived in the U.S. during Joe Biden’s 2021 withdrawal.
Sadly, one of the Guardsmen, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom, succumbed to her injuries and passed away on Thanksgiving Day. The other Guardsman, Andrew Wolfe, 24, is expected to survive, though he is being closely monitored due to his brain swelling according to an update from a family member.
The Vice President, a former Marine, asked “everybody who’s a person of faith” to say a prayer for the soldiers and offered a somber reminder that, “soldiers, whether they’re active duty, reserve, or National Guard, our soldiers are the sword and the shield of the United States of America.”
On an encouraging note, Vance edified the unit’s history and troops and welcomed home soldiers from the Strike and Destiny brigades who recently returned from Europe and the Middle East. He told them, “the President is proud of the soldiers, and he’s proud of every single one of you.”
Vance also reiterated the Trump administration’s, particularly under Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, determination to restore higher expectations, standards, and readiness to the U.S. military. He stated that service members deserve more clarity and purpose in their missions and that the administration is prioritizing readiness for future conflicts.
He criticized military decisions of past administrations, saying they were, “too willing to send you off into battle without a clear mission. That was the mistake of Democrats and Republicans. It is a great stain on political leadership in this country… and that’s something that this president and this administration is never going to do.”
In closing, Vance’s remarks centered on gratitude, especially for those service members before him. “Thanksgiving is a uniquely American thing. At the heart of it is the spirit of gratitude,” he said.
“The happiest people that I’ve ever met, the most successful people that I’ve ever met, they live their life with the spirit of gratitude,” he added. “I happen to believe that the life of service and sacrifice is the greatest blessing that we have in this room today. One of the things at the top of the list that I’m very thankful for is the United States Army and everyone in this room.”
The Vice President concluded, “You guys make this a happy Thanksgiving for me. Every single day you show up to work, put on that uniform, and make the nation proud.”
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
