Vice President JD Vance Celebrates 250 Years of American Military

On July 1, 2026, Vice President JD Vance addressed service members at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American military.

Vance’s visit underscored the efforts of the Trump administration to support American troops and veterans. After remarks from Representative Jen Kiggans and Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins, Vance expressed gratitude to all branches of the military for their unwavering commitment to the nation.

In light of ongoing tensions with Iran, he emphasized the importance of their service.

“For 250 years, it is people like you who put on the uniform of the United States of America and made sure that our Constitution actually has meaning,” Vance remarked. “Because of you my friends, the next 250 years of the United States of America are gonna be better than the last 250 years.”

“All of the great things that we’ve accomplished, you guys are the reason we’ve been able to accomplish it. So, thank you, and welcome home. We’re proud to have you guys back,” he added.

Reflecting on his own military experience from 2003 to 2007, Vance acknowledged that past political leaders made significant errors. He noted that President Donald Trump has learned from these mistakes, ensuring that today’s military operates with well-defined goals.

“How hard could it be to build a few democracies in the Middle East? Well, almost impossibly hard, it turns out,” Vance stated. “And unbelievably costly… The Trump administration has reversed course. No more undefined missions. No more open-ended conflicts… We ought to be cautious in deciding to throw a punch, but when we throw a punch, we throw a punch hard, and we do it decisively.”