First Lady Melania Trump visited Fort Rucker, the headquarters U.S. Army Aviation, to honor America’s soldiers and the sacrifices of the military families who support them.

“I want to take a moment to say thank you to one very important group of people: the families of America’s military. Your role is profound. While your loved ones are deployed, it’s up to you to keep your families strong, keep your children safe, and keep your homes full of love,” said First Lady Melania Trump.

With Thanksgiving approaching, the First Lady acknowledged the emotional toll of military deployments, particularly during the holiday season, when the absence of a loved one is felt most deeply.

“Take a moment to think of America’s service people and families with an open seat at their Thanksgiving table,” Mrs. Trump urged, reminding Americans that the freedoms celebrated at home are secured through great personal sacrifice.

The First Lady also emphasized the military’s fundamental mission to defend the United States Constitution and to safeguard America’s freedoms.

“America’s warriors are ready to protect our individual liberty, our freedom to speak as we wish, to assemble peacefully, and to worship according to our own beliefs,” Mrs. Trump stated.

Mrs. Trump continued her visit at Ellis D. Parker Elementary School, where she engaged with young students in kindergarten and first-grade classrooms. The First Lady also recognized educators who integrate technology into their teaching—a focus of First Lady Melania Trump through her FOSTERING THE FUTURE initiative.

First Lady Melania Trump’s visit to Fort Rucker drew attention to a powerful message of gratitude, sharing that America’s military strength is defined not only by the elite soldiers who serve, but also by the families who carry the weight of that service at home.

First Lady Melania Trump’s full remarks, as prepared for delivery, are included below.

The Sacrifice of America’s Military Families

Thank you, Usha, for your kind introduction and my gratitude to you and your family for your service to our nation. Major General Baker, your service to our nation has taken you across the world, from South Korea and Kosovo to Iraq, Europe, Afghanistan, and throughout the United States. Your personal sacrifices embody the best of America’s military.

Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away and as I look across this room at Fort Rucker today, I want to take a moment to say thank you to one very important group of people: the families of America’s military.

Your role is profound. While your loved ones are deployed, it’s up to you to keep your families strong, keep your children safe and to keep your homes full of love. This is a big responsibility.

I recognize that your sacrifices extend far beyond Thanksgiving, although it is the holiday season which brings the image of an empty seat at your table into our collective focus.

I know each of you has those quiet moments when you’re on your own and you wish your loved one was home to help with homework, to be there to celebrate that winning touchdown, the birthdays and of course, do bedtime.

The sacrifices of military families don’t make the headlines, but you are the foundation for the world’s most capable military.

Visiting America’s military bases is special to me. Our soldiers are the best in the world, our equipment is elite, and our determination is second to none.

At its heart, service in the United States military is a commitment to defend our Constitution. Our warriors are there ready to protect our individual liberty, our freedom to speak as we wish, to assemble peacefully, and to worship according to our own beliefs.

America is blessed with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, two of the most consequential documents in human history. The words in these documents, however, cannot protect themselves. It takes Americans willing to put something greater than themselves first—freedom.

Your service is not transactional in nature. Your service will have an impact for generations.

Here at Fort Rucker, we see powerful aircraft take-off to the heavens. But behind the strength of those pilots who rise into the skies is the work of your loved ones who remain on the ground.

To every American watching us today: in a few weeks, you will be sitting around your Thanksgiving table in the warmth of your own home, surrounded by your loved ones, sharing a wonderful meal, and perhaps enjoying a football game on television.

Take a moment to think of America’s service people and the families with an open seat at their Thanksgiving table. Those families are just as important in maintaining America’s elite status and in protecting our freedom. May God bless our military families, protect our troops and Happy Thanksgiving from Fort Rucker!