‘We’re proud of you’: Vice President JD Vance thanks Fort Campbell troops in holiday visit | PHOTOS
Vice President JD Vance delivered a Thanksgiving message of gratitude and purpose to Fort Campbell soldiers on Wednesday, praising the 101st Airborne Division and telling troops, “We’re proud of you.”
CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Vice President JD Vance visited Fort Campbell on Wednesday, delivering a pre-Thanksgiving message focused on gratitude, higher military standards, and the importance of clear missions for America’s troops.
The vice president and the second family ate with the soldiers recognized as Best Quadrant and the Corps Soldier of the Quarter before addressing the full 101st Airborne Division.
Musician Kid Rock opened the event, thanking soldiers for their sacrifice. “Thank you tremendously for your service, especially those who can’t spend it with your loved one this year,” Kid Rock said. Calling Vance a person who “fights for all of us here … we all support our troops.”
Senator Marsha Blackburn and District 6 Congressman John Rose attended the event as well.
A somber reminder of service
Vance began his remarks by acknowledging a shooting near the White House earlier in the day. “There was a shooting outside the White House just a couple of hours ago … a couple of national guardsmen were injured in the line of duty,” he said. “It’s a somber reminder that soldiers – whether they’re active duty, reserves, or national guard – our soldiers are the sword and the shield of the United States of America.”
“We’re grateful to them,” he added. “We’re praying they’re going to be safe and spend Thanksgiving with their families.”
Praise for the 101st Airborne
Recognizing Fort Campbell leadership and the soldiers in attendance, Vance praised the unit’s history and its troops. “The 101st Airborne is one of the proudest units in the entire United States Army,” he said.
He also welcomed home soldiers from the Strike and Destiny brigades who recently returned home from Europe and the Middle East. “We’re honored to be here to welcome the men and women from the Strike and Destiny brigades,” he said. “We’re proud of you, we’re grateful to you … and welcome home.”
He added that “the president is proud of the soldiers, and he’s proud of every single one of you.”
Calling for higher standards and clearer missions
Vance also highlighted remarks referencing a speech Secretary of War Pete Hegseth delivered in Quantico that Vance called “one of the best speeches … about the United States military.”
Quoting Hegseth, Vance said leaders must “do unto yours as you would have done unto your own child’s unit,” emphasizing stronger expectations within the military.
“He was talking about the importance of bringing the highest standard possible to the United States Army,” Vance said. “We believe in you so much – we believe in your mission so much – that we know that you guys can meet the highest standards in the world.”
Vance said modern U.S. service members deserve clarity and purpose in their missions, and that the administration also supports that. “We don’t just want people who mindlessly follow orders. We want people who think because we know … the most dangerous and lethal weapon anywhere in the world is a United States soldier.”
He said the administration is prioritizing readiness for future conflicts. “They talk a lot about preparing the army and military for modern warfare,’ he said. They want soldiers to be able to use modern warfare “better than anybody else.”
Vance criticized past military decisions. “We were too willing to send you off into battle without a clear mission,” he said. “That was the mistake of Democrats and Republicans. It is a great stain on political leadership in this country … and that’s something that this president and this administration is never going to do.”
A Thanksgiving message of gratitude
With the holiday hours away, Vance closed with remarks centered on gratitude. “Thanksgiving – what we celebrate tomorrow – is a uniquely American thing,” he said. “At the heart of it is the spirit of gratitude.” He added, “The happiest people that I’ve ever met – the most successful people that I’ve ever met – they live their life with the spirit of gratitude.”
Vance said the holiday was a reminder of the values that unite service members and their families. “I happen to believe that the life of service and sacrifice is the greatest blessing that we have in this room today.”
He added that his gratitude this Thanksgiving is especially centered on the soldiers standing before him. “One of the things at the top of the list that I’m very thankful for is the United States Army and everyone in this room.”
He acknowledged that many service members will not get to spend the holiday with their families as they prepare for future missions. “You guys make this a happy Thanksgiving for me,” Vance said. “Every single day you show up to work, put on that uniform, and make the nation proud.”
Wesley Irvin contributed to this report.
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