First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Usha Vance Visit Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River in North Carolina
On Wednesday this week, First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Usha Vance visited Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River in North Carolina, where they spent the day meeting with students, educators, military families and Service members from both installations.
Mrs. Trump and Mrs. Vance began the day at Lejeune High School where they joined a classroom to observe presentations by high school students on social media, artificial intelligence (AI), and technology. The engagement was linked to the First Lady’s emphasis on AI education through efforts like the Presidential AI Challenge and Fostering the Future Together, a BE BEST initiative. Mrs. Trump and Mrs. Vance then delivered brief comments and participated in a photo opportunity with students and United Service Organizations (USO) volunteers who were working to assemble care packages for deployed Service members with families on base.
Next, Mrs. Trump and Mrs. Vance visited an DeLalio Elementary School to visit kindergarten and 1st grade classrooms and observe reading and writing lessons. They finished their visit to the school by participating in arts-and-craft activities 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students.
The visit concluded with a gathering at MCAS New River, where Mrs. Vance expressed gratitude to the Marines and Service members at Camp Lejeune. She touched on the Vice President’s service and Marine Corps’ strong traditions he proudly upholds. She highlighted the strength of Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools and military families, praising their commitment to community and children’s education. She introduced the First Lady, commending her dedication to supporting children and families through Fostering the Future, a BE BEST initiative.
Mrs. Trump honored the Marine Corps’ recent 250th birthday, touched on the impact that artificial intelligence is having on modern warfare, and recognized outstanding Marines for their leadership and service. As the holiday season approaches—a time when many military families will celebrate with an empty seat at the table—the First Lady and Second Lady expressed their deep gratitude for the strength, resilience, and sacrifice of those who serve and the loved ones who care, love, support, and serve alongside them. Both ladies shared their heartfelt appreciation to military personnel, educators, students, and families at MCAS New River and Camp Lejeune for their warm welcome and for their steadfast service to the United States.
