On November 20, 2025, First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Usha Vance visited Camp Lejeune, a Marine Corps base in North Carolina, to express their gratitude to the military personnel and their families ahead of Thanksgiving.
Melania addressed the troops and families at the base hangar, describing military families as the “silent strength of the nation” and emphasizing that their love, patience, and courage allow soldiers to carry out their missions with honor, knowing that their families are always waiting for them.
It was the first joint visit without their spouses since the current administration took office. Melania described the visit as “unforgettable” and expressed her honor in meeting with the U.S. Marines at Camp Lejeune.
Both First and Second Ladies offered belated birthday wishes to the Marine Corps, which celebrated its 250th anniversary on November 10.
Usha expressed her privilege in visiting Camp Lejeune, referring to it as a base that nurtures the finest Marines and military families in the country.
She noted the significance of being close to Cherry Point, the Marine Corps air station where her husband, Vice President JD Vance, once served, adding a special meaning to the visit.
Commanding Officer Ralph J. Rizzo Jr. of Camp Lejeune stated that the presence of the First and Second Ladies on the eve of Thanksgiving held special significance for the base’s personnel and their families.
Before their speeches, Melania and Usha visited DeLalio Elementary School and Lejeune High School to interact with students and prepare holiday care packages for the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) currently deployed overseas.
The 22nd MEU, which departed from Camp Lejeune in August to the Caribbean region, is part of the U.S. military’s reinforced presence in the surrounding Latin American area. It consists of approximately 2,200 personnel conducting operations in the region.
The U.S. military is currently undertaking Operation Southern Spear in the waters surrounding Latin America, launching lethal strikes against drug smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.
In order to stop the influx of drugs into the United States, President Trump is considering military actions against certain land targets in the region, including the possibility of deploying troops to Venezuela.
This week, the 22nd MEU began joint training with the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force. The country, located just a few miles off the coast of Venezuela, holds a geographically sensitive position, drawing attention from the international community.