Visit to Camp Lejeune by First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Usha Vance
First Lady Melania Trump, along with Second Lady Usha Vance, made their first joint appearance by visiting Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Their stop included a visit to Lejeune High School, where they engaged with students and expressed their appreciation for the service members and their families.
On this occasion, they traveled to the largest Marine base on the East Coast to express gratitude to military families ahead of the holiday season. Their motorcade included a visit to Lejeune High School, which caters to military families as part of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA).
Upon arrival at the school, a salute from ten Marines stationed outside welcomed the two ladies, creating a ceremonial atmosphere that underscored the bond between military families and their national leaders.
“I want to thank you all. You are the military families who have defended our country, and we thank you for your service,” the First Lady stated in the gymnasium. “My husband, the president, sends you his best wishes. We think of you and pray for you every day, especially during the holidays.”
Melania Trump also expressed gratitude towards the schools for putting together 2,000 care packages for service members, which included popular snack items like beef jerky.
Additionally, she emphasized the importance of responsible AI use in education. Engaging with students, she inquired about how they employed AI in their projects, while listening to their discussions about the ethical guidelines they follow for such tools.
She also invited the students to visit the White House whenever they find themselves in Washington, DC.
The day continued as both ladies visited Delario Elementary School, interacting with younger students through classes and arts and crafts activities. There was a moment when a young girl excitedly grabbed Usha’s hand, trying to pull her along, leading to laughter from Usha as she jokingly remarked, “We’re being separated!” A teacher playfully insisted the child needed to share Usha with others.
This interaction was captured in a clip shared on social media, showcasing the warm reception from the children of military families.
“She introduced me to all of them,” Usha recalled with a chuckle.
Meanwhile, Melania interacted with students while they engaged in crafts, and one child even hugged her.
During their time at Delario Elementary, Melania and Usha found themselves at a student table surrounded by school supplies. They discussed the “Be Best” initiative, which promotes children’s emotional, social, and physical health while addressing topics like bullying and online safety.
This conversation hinted at broader issues regarding child welfare and included a reference to an Executive Order aimed at supporting youth development through public-private partnerships.
Melania also honored 250 Marines at a speech at Marine Corps Air Station New River, expressing her gratitude for the service members’ commitment and highlighting their excellence.
She concluded by discussing the need for responsible technology use among youth, stating, “Technology is changing the art of war… AI will change warfare more than any technology since nuclear weapons.” She underscored the importance of training future generations, as these young students could someday lead the Marines.
Lastly, she acknowledged Lejeune High School for participating in the President’s Artificial Intelligence Challenge, designed to encourage K-12 students to leverage AI for solving community issues.
“Artificial intelligence is propelling America’s military into a new era,” she stated. “There’s a visible transition from human operators to human supervisors, with technology evolving rapidly.”
She recognized two exemplary Marines during her speech, Sergeant Blake Donoher and Corporal Daishamari Cannon, celebrating their recognized service.
Melania wrapped up by expressing her gratitude toward military families for their strength and support, wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving.
