Melania Trump, Usha Vance Honor Military Families, Deployed Troops With Care Packages

First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Usha Vance spent Monday afternoon at Joint Base Andrews honoring military families and preparing care packages for deployed U.S. troops, offering gratitude and compassion ahead of the Christmas season.

The two led a heartfelt event alongside the American Red Cross, writing personalized cards and assembling care packages that will be sent to American service members stationed abroad. “May this Christmas bring peace to your homes, safety to those who are deployed, and gratitude in the hearts of every American who thanks you for your service and sacrifice,” the First Lady said.

Joint Base Andrews, the operational hub for Air Force One and other presidential aircraft, serves more than 26,000 military and civilian personnel and their families. Usha Vance, wife of Vice President JD Vance, praised the base as “America’s airfield” and thanked its community for their devotion to the country. “JD and I are inspired every time we fly by your care and professionalism,” she said.

Melania Trump paid particular attention to the spouses of service members. “We must illuminate the bravery of those who walk beside them,” she said, honoring the “quiet but powerful” strength of military families. She spoke of the sacrifice that often goes unnoticed—missed holidays, cross-country moves, long deployments, and the emotional toll of holding everything together at home. “Your lives require a resilience that few outside the military can understand,” she said.

Both Trump and Vance stressed that the wellbeing of military spouses and families matters just as much as the missions being carried out abroad. “Your journey matters. Your voice matters. And your strength continues to inspire us all,” Melania added.

Cabinet spouses also participated in the event, including Jennifer Hegseth (wife of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth), Cheryl Hines (wife of HHS Secretary RFK Jr.), Kathryn Burgum (wife of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum), and Marlo Greer (wife of U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer), among others.

Guests sipped hot cocoa and nibbled cookies while jazz versions of classic Christmas tunes played. The care packages included snacks like Rice Krispies, Slim Jims, granola bars, popcorn, hydration packs, and handwritten notes.

The First Lady wrote in one card: “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thank you for your service, our nation is proud of you! Warm wishes, Melania Trump.”

Usha Vance described the care packages as part of a legacy that began during World War I. “As we enter the holiday season, may we be reminded of our shared responsibility for our communities, our neighbors, and our nation,” she said. “And may we continue to lift up those who serve and sacrifice for our country.”

Organizers said a total of 700 care packages will be shipped, each one described by Melania Trump as a symbol of “liberty, love, community, and honor.”