On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, just hours after a shooting outside the White House left two National Guardsmen injured, Vice President JD Vance stood before hundreds of soldiers at Fort Campbell — a sprawling military installation straddling Kentucky and Tennessee — and delivered a raw, heartfelt Thanksgiving message that cut through the noise of national headlines. He didn’t come with policy speeches or political talking points. He came to say thank you — and to remind a nation that the cost of freedom is often paid in silence, far from holiday dinners.
A Somber Reminder Before the Feast
Vance opened his remarks by acknowledging the morning’s violence. "There was a shooting outside the White House just a couple of hours ago… a couple of national guardsmen were injured in the line of duty," he said, his voice steady but heavy. "It’s a somber reminder that soldiers — whether they’re active duty, reserves, or national guard — our soldiers are the sword and the shield of the United States of America." He paused. The room fell quiet. You could hear the hum of the HVAC system. Then he added, "We’re grateful to them. We’re praying they’re going to be safe and spend Thanksgiving with their families." It wasn’t just rhetoric. It was recognition. The same men and women who guard the White House on quiet mornings are the same ones deployed to remote outposts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe — often without warning, without fanfare, and sometimes without coming home for holidays.Meal With the Best, Speech to the Brave
Before addressing the full 101st Airborne Division, Vance shared a quiet, family-style meal with soldiers honored as Best Quadrant personnel and the Corps Soldier of the Quarter. No podium. No press pool. Just turkey, stuffing, and conversation. That intimacy mattered. It signaled that leadership wasn’t just about visibility — it was about presence. Later, standing before nearly 2,000 troops in the division’s main assembly area, Vance turned to the Strike and Destiny Brigades — units that had just returned from grueling deployments across Europe and the Middle East. "I want to say to those of you who are here for the first time back home in a few months," he said, "we’re proud of you. We’re grateful to you." The applause wasn’t loud. It was deep. The kind that comes from men and women who’ve spent months sleeping in tents, eating MREs, and watching sunrises over hostile terrain. They didn’t need fireworks. They needed to hear someone say: We see you.
The Holiday They Won’t Celebrate
Vance didn’t sugarcoat the reality. "Now, I know that a lot of you are going to spend tomorrow with your friends and families," he said, "but I also know that a lot of you are not going to have that opportunity. You’ve got deployments you’ve got to prepare for. You’re stuck on this base. You’re not able to travel home because you’ve got to prepare for…" He let the sentence hang. Everyone knew what came next. Training. Readiness. The next mission. The next warzone. The next time their name shows up in a casualty report — not on a holiday card, but in a Pentagon briefing. He didn’t ask for applause. He didn’t need it. But when he added, "You guys make this a happy Thanksgiving for me because every single day you show up to work, you put on that uniform and make your nation proud. You make me proud to be your vice president," — the silence returned. This time, it wasn’t somber. It was sacred.Why This Matters Beyond the Base
This wasn’t just a photo op. It was a quiet act of national repair. In a time when trust in institutions is fraying, when political divisions feel wider than ever, Vance’s visit — and his words — served as a rare anchor. He didn’t mention politics. He didn’t cite legislation. He didn’t even mention the president by name, though he did quote him: "The president is proud of the soldiers, and he’s proud of every single one of you." What he did do was name the cost. He honored sacrifice without romanticizing it. He acknowledged the trauma of combat, the loneliness of separation, and the quiet heroism of showing up — even when no one’s watching. Fort Campbell isn’t just a base. It’s home to over 50,000 active-duty personnel, family members, and civilian workers. The 101st Airborne Division — known as the "Screaming Eagles" — has deployed to every major conflict since Vietnam. Their history is written in blood, sweat, and missed birthdays. Vance didn’t just visit a military post. He stepped into a legacy.
What Comes Next?
The White House released a 21-minute video of the event, titled "Vice President JD Vance Celebrates Thanksgiving with Servicemembers and Delivers Remarks." Local outlets like Clarksville Now and DWS News ran full reports, but the real impact won’t be measured in views or clicks. It’ll be measured in the soldier who finally feels seen. The spouse who’s been holding the family together for eight months. The child who wonders why dad’s not home for Thanksgiving — again. As the sun set over Fort Campbell on November 26, 2025, hundreds of soldiers returned to their barracks. Some would call home. Others would write letters. A few would sit alone, staring at a photo of their family, wondering when they’d see them next. Vance didn’t fix any of that. But he made sure they knew: You’re not forgotten.Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Vice President Vance mention the White House shooting during a Thanksgiving speech?
Vance referenced the shooting to draw a direct link between domestic security and military service. The two National Guardsmen injured were part of the same force structure as the soldiers at Fort Campbell — highlighting that service members protect the homeland even in peacetime. It wasn’t political; it was personal. He wanted the troops to know their sacrifices are connected to every American’s safety, even when the public isn’t paying attention.
What makes Fort Campbell significant in the U.S. military structure?
Fort Campbell is the home of the 101st Airborne Division, the only air assault division in the U.S. Army. With over 50,000 personnel, it’s one of the most rapidly deployable forces in the world. The division has deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and Eastern Europe, often as the first U.S. troops on the ground. Its dual-state location (Kentucky/Tennessee) also makes it a logistical hub for the entire Southeast.
How often do soldiers at Fort Campbell miss holidays like Thanksgiving?
It’s common. The 101st Airborne Division maintains a high operational tempo, with units deploying every 12–18 months. In 2024, over 40% of its personnel spent Thanksgiving overseas or in pre-deployment training. Many won’t see their families for six to nine months at a time. The emotional toll is real — and why visits like Vance’s matter more than most realize.
Did Vice President Vance’s message reflect broader White House policy?
Yes. The White House has made military recognition a consistent theme in 2025, especially with ongoing deployments to Europe and the Middle East. This visit aligned with the administration’s "Support Our Troops" initiative, which includes increased mental health funding and family support programs. But unlike most political gestures, Vance’s tone was unusually personal — not scripted, not polished. That authenticity resonated far beyond the base.
What did soldiers say after the speech?
Multiple soldiers told Clarksville Now that they hadn’t expected the vice president to acknowledge the White House shooting — or to speak so plainly about the cost of service. One sergeant from the Strike Brigade said, "He didn’t say what we thought he’d say. He said what we needed to hear." Social media posts from Fort Campbell that night showed photos of soldiers hugging family members, some crying, others just smiling quietly — a rare moment of peace before the next mission.
Is this kind of visit typical for a vice president?
Not usually. While vice presidents occasionally visit bases, few do so on the eve of a major holiday — and even fewer deliver such emotionally candid remarks. The last comparable visit was in 2019, when then-Vice President Mike Pence spoke to troops in Iraq during Ramadan. Vance’s approach was more intimate, less ceremonial. It reflected a shift: military appreciation is no longer about flags and speeches. It’s about listening — and saying, "I see you."
