In an event held on February 13 at Fort Bragg and Pope Army Airfield in North Carolina, First Lady Melania Trump delivered a Valentine’s Day message to U.S. troops and their families. However, Melania’s speech on love did not mention her husband, President Donald Trump.
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“Love letters have symbolized the union of patriotism and family devotion among our soldiers”
She addressed the service member involved in last month’s capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, and wished the soldiers a “Happy Valentine’s Day.” She said, “To our great armed forces of the United States stationed all over the world, I have a nostalgia-filled message.”
She started with, “Love letters have symbolized the union of patriotism and family devotion among our soldiers for 250 years.”
Melania decided to center Valentine’s Day around themes of love, country, and service instead of the usual romantic tributes. She said, “The harmony of love of country and love of family is what make us uniquely American. It is very balanced which strengthens our military and builds our communities.”
Melania then proceeded to bring the president to the stage to wrap up her speech, but she made no mention of him in her Valentine’s Day address.
“And now, it is my distinct honor to introduce your Commander in Chief, our leader who maintains a mission of peace through strength, President Donald J Trump,” she announced.
Trump took the stage as he planted a kiss on Melania’s cheek and proceeded to his address to the crowd.
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Melania at other Valentine’s Day events
Earlier in the week, Melania visited The Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Maryland. She celebrated with holiday-themed craft-making and chatting about their lives, health and other interests with the young patients undergoing treatments for rare and serious illnesses.
It was her fourth visit as first lady and the first of the second Trump administration to The Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health. During the first term, she made three visits.