A United States Army soldier told President Trump during his visit on Christmas evening to the Al Asad Airbase in Iraq that he returned to the military because of him.
“And I am here because of you,” Trump replied.
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders captured the moment. She tweeted after the visit:
“Powerful moment – Member of United States Army told the President he came back into the military because of him. And President Trump responded, ‘And I am here because of you.’ I met him after and he gave me the patch from his arm. Incredible. #TrumpTroopsVisit”:
Powerful moment – Member of United States Army told the President he came back into the military because of him. And President Trump responded, “And I am here because of you.” I met him after and he gave me the patch from his arm. Incredible. #TrumpTroopsVisit pic.twitter.com/WmQf3b2K8X
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) December 26, 2018
The soldier is unidentified, but according to the patch he gave Sanders, he serves with the 3rd Cavalry “Brave Rifles” Regiment from Fort Hood, Texas.
Trump’s visit to Al Asad was the first to a combat zone during his tenure. The first lady, Melania, visited the base with the president.
Troops greeted Trump with other expressions of appreciation. When he stepped on stage to address several hundreds of them, they broke out in applause, cheered, and chanted “USA!”
President @realDonaldTrump speaks to U.S. troops in Iraq. #TrumpTroopsVisit #USA pic.twitter.com/9CSdO8AwWD
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) December 26, 2018
Trump also visited the chow hall at Al Asad, where troops took selfies and photos with him:
🚨MOMENTS AGO: President @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS Melania visiting troops at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq… pic.twitter.com/ZUPNZdbJ6w
— Dan Scavino Jr. (@Scavino45) December 26, 2018
.@FLOTUS Melania and I were honored to visit our incredible troops at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq. GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.! pic.twitter.com/rDlhITDvm1
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 26, 2018
Troops were all smiles as they posed with the president and first lady:
Al Asad Air Base, Iraq#TrumpTroopsVisit https://t.co/QiLAw3Ely4 pic.twitter.com/tA5IQagyYH
— Dan Scavino Jr. (@Scavino45) December 27, 2018
Trump next visited Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany. There, some troops brought red “Make America Great Again” hats for the president to sign. One female service member brought a “Trump” banner to greet the president with, according to pictures that the White House press pool, who traveled with the president to both bases, shared on Twitter:
Trump flag (she dropped it after she saw me taking a photo) pic.twitter.com/LhPwUNdEK3
— Jennifer Epstein (@jeneps) December 27, 2018
Dozens could be seen taking selfies with the president:
🚨Happening Now: President Trump and First Lady Melania visiting troops at Ramstein Air Base in Germany… pic.twitter.com/s04nQZ8bf4
— Dan Scavino Jr. (@Scavino45) December 27, 2018
And yet even more:
Presidential selfieswith troops at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. #TrumpTroopsVisit🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/wUUzC1gd0B
— Dan Scavino Jr. (@Scavino45) December 27, 2018
Trump concluded his visit by saying he was honored to visit the “incredible” troops at Al Asad and Germany:
.@FLOTUS Melania and I were honored to visit our incredible troops at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq. GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.! pic.twitter.com/rDlhITDvm1
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 26, 2018
Just returned from visiting our troops in Iraq and Germany. One thing is certain, we have incredible people representing our Country – people that know how to win!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 27, 2018
“One thing is certain, we have incredible people representing our Country – people that know how to win!” he tweeted.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.