War Secretary Pete Hegseth and his wife, Jennifer, spent Thanksgiving with Navy sailors stationed in Latin America, serving holiday meals and expressing gratitude for their service during the Southern Spear mission, which targets narco-terror networks in the region. In a video shared on X, the Hegseths highlighted their decision to spend the holiday aboard warships, emphasizing their commitment to the troops. They also expressed prayers for the victims of an attack on two National Guardsmen in Washington, D.C., and reaffirmed their dedication to the families of deployed personnel.
Hegsety’s Thanksgiving message included a reference to George Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation, underscoring the nation’s gratitude for the service of military personnel. This mission, Southern Spear, is part of a broader strategy to combat drug trafficking and associated terrorist activities in the region, a goal aligned with the administration’s emphasis on security and national defense. The Hegseths’ visit to both the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill demonstrated support for the naval forces involved in the operation.
During his address to the crew on the USS Gerald R. Ford, Hegseth reiterated the importance of military service, calling the National Guardsmen who were attacked a reminder of the bravery and selflessness of Americans who put it all on the line. He also addressed recent controversies, including his stance on ‘woke’ policies within the military, urging troops to resign if they oppose his plan to restore a traditional warrior ethos. These statements reflect a broader conservative emphasis on military discipline and national security priorities.
The visit and Thanksgiving message by Hegseth aimed to strengthen morale among the troops and foster a sense of national unity. The Department of War provided details on the visit, underscoring the administration’s focus on recognizing the sacrifices of military personnel during the holiday season. Overall, the event highlighted the intersection of military service, national security, and the administration’s strategic approach to combating narco-terrorism in Latin America.