War Secretary Hegseth Celebrates Thanksgiving with Navy Sailors
In a heartfelt display of solidarity with America’s military personnel, War Secretary Pete Hegseth and his wife Jennifer chose to spend their Thanksgiving with Navy sailors stationed far from home. Rather than enjoying the traditional comforts of family gatherings, football, and festive meals on American soil, the couple traveled to visit sailors supporting Operation Southern Spear, a critical mission targeting narco-terror networks throughout Latin America. This decision reflects Hegseth’s personal connection to military service, as he recalled his own experiences during three previous deployments when he was “always thinking about my family and hoped they were gathering with food and football.” Understanding firsthand the sacrifice of being away from loved ones during holidays, Hegseth explained their mission simply: “These folks won’t be [home]. We’re going to bring them maybe a turkey and a little bit of cheer.”
The Hegseths’ Thanksgiving journey took them aboard two naval vessels – the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill. There, they participated in the time-honored military tradition of leadership serving holiday meals to service members. Videos shared on social media captured these moments, with Hegseth good-naturedly joking, “I give out too much candy at Halloween and too much turkey on Thanksgiving” as he helped dish out plates to grateful sailors. These interactions, though brief, represented an important connection between military leadership and the men and women executing America’s strategic missions at sea during a time when family separation is felt most acutely. The War Secretary’s presence served as a tangible reminder that their service and sacrifice have not gone unnoticed by the nation’s leadership.
While bringing holiday cheer to sailors deployed in Latin American waters, Hegseth’s thoughts were also with two Washington, D.C. National Guardsmen who had been targeted in an attack just one day prior. In his public remarks, he expressed his concern: “Our minds are also in Washington, D.C., with the two great Americans who were ambushed and targeted. And we’re prayerful for them, for all those around them, for their families.” This acknowledgment highlighted the constant dangers faced by service members both abroad and at home, creating a solemn undercurrent to the otherwise festive occasion. The incident served as a stark reminder of the risks accepted by all who wear the uniform, whether stationed on foreign shores or protecting the nation’s capital.
Addressing the crew aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford, Hegseth delivered a message of gratitude that extended beyond his personal thanks. “Happy Thanksgiving from me, the Secretary of War. Happy Thanksgiving from the President of the United States. Happy Thanksgiving from a grateful nation,” he told the assembled sailors. Drawing a connection between service members in different roles and locations, he continued, “Whether it’s in our nation’s capital, walking patrol, or whether it’s in our nation’s hemisphere, out at sea, interdicting cartels, defending the American people — we are grateful for you.” This message emphasized the diverse ways in which military personnel protect American interests and security, from counternarcotics operations at sea to security duties in Washington, all united by a common commitment to service despite personal sacrifice.
The significance of Hegseth’s Thanksgiving visit extends beyond the immediate morale boost for the sailors he met. His presence aboard these vessels during Operation Southern Spear highlights the strategic importance of counter-narcotics operations in Latin America, a mission that often receives less public attention than deployments to other regions. By spending his holiday with these particular units, the War Secretary effectively elevated awareness of their mission while demonstrating that maritime security operations in America’s hemisphere remain a priority for the administration. For the sailors serving aboard these vessels, the visit reinforced that their contributions to national security are valued at the highest levels of government, even when those contributions take place in less publicized theaters of operation.
Hegseth concluded his address to the sailors with references to historical American traditions, reading from George Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation and offering prayers for all deployed forces. “Godspeed, God bless, you are in our prayers, and we are grateful. Thank you. Thank you very much,” he told the gathered service members. These closing remarks connected the present-day sacrifices of military personnel to America’s earliest traditions of gratitude and service, placing their duties within the broader context of the nation’s history. As the Hegseths departed, they left behind not just the memory of a shared meal, but a reaffirmation of the bond between civilian leadership and military service members that transcends distance and time. For sailors who would spend their holiday watching for drug traffickers rather than watching football with family, this recognition served as a meaningful reminder of the nation they’ve pledged to defend.
