Vice President JD Vance spent part of Thanksgiving week at Fort Campbell, where he and his family joined service members for a holiday meal and a brief address that emphasized gratitude, faith, and the responsibilities of the U.S. Army. His remarks were short, personal, and rooted in the traditions of family and service that bind our military communities together.
In the same address Vance asked the nation to pray for two National Guard soldiers who were critically wounded in a shooting in Washington, D.C., calling the incident a somber reminder of the risks our troops face even at home. He framed soldiers — active duty, reserve, and National Guard alike — as the sword and shield of the nation, a necessary reminder of their central role in protecting American freedom.
Video of the visit shows Vance serving mashed potatoes alongside his daughter and chatting warmly with troops, posing for photos and thanking them for their service in a manner more focused on connection than on electability. Those small, human moments matter because they show leaders willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people they represent.
Some outlets chose to amplify the jokes and mockery around a few Thanksgiving quips instead of the substance of his message, an unfortunate example of how modern media prefers snark to sobriety. Conservatives should not be shy about calling out that double standard: compassionate gestures toward the military deserve respect, not viral ridicule.
The visit came on the heels of a troubling shooting in the capital that left two Guard members badly injured, an episode that has rightly refocused attention on public safety, the security of our forces, and the consequences of weak immigration and vetting policies. Leaders who care about the safety of Americans and the morale of our troops must press for policies that make clear the nation will not leave its defenders vulnerable.
Vance also reminded troops that they should expect clear missions and clear guidelines from their civilian leadership, a point that resonates with citizens tired of mission creep and muddled objectives overseas and at home. When civilian leaders offer clarity, discipline, and respect, the military can do its job without needless distraction or political theater.
What mattered most in Kentucky was the reaffirmation that family, faith, and duty still matter in public life — a message too often drowned out by cable-news outrage cycles. Washington would do well to stop weaponizing every public gesture into a partisan cudgel and instead to show the same humility and gratitude Vance displayed while standing in the mess line with soldiers who keep this country safe.
