Pete Hegseth and his wife Jennifer spent Thanksgiving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and its escort ships — where the “Secretary of War” delivered a message of gratitude to U.S. sailors and Marines. Standing on deck, the secretary greeted them: “Happy Thanksgiving from me, the Secretary of War. Happy Thanksgiving from the President … from a grateful nation.”
Hegseth then reminded the service members of recent sacrifice at home — referencing the Washington, D.C. shooting that claimed the life of 20‑year-old Guardsman Sarah Beckstrom and left another Guardsman, 24‑year‑old Andrew Wolfe, critically wounded. Hegseth said their service and sacrifice embody the bravery and selflessness expected of Americans who “put it all on the line” — whether “walking patrol” in the capital or “out at sea, interdicting cartels.”
The visit came aboard vessels participating in Operation Southern Spear — a mission targeting narcoterrorism across Latin America. Hegseth and his wife personally served Thanksgiving-style meals to the crew, calling it a “mandatory turkey” dinner. “To all the moms and dads out there, your kids get turkey whether they want it or not,” he quipped as plates were distributed.
For the Hegseths, the dinner was more than a goodwill gesture — it was a reminder of what military service demands from service members and their families. “I was deployed three times — always thinking about my family — hoping they were gathering with food and football,” Hegseth said. “These folks won’t be. We’re going to bring them a little bit of cheer.”
Jennifer echoed that many of the sailors’ families couldn’t be with them. “We know family is the backbone of your service,” she said. “We are so thankful for that.”
Against a backdrop of active missions and recent tragedy, the Thanksgiving meal aboard USS Gerald R. Ford stood as a tribute to duty, sacrifice, and the enduring support of a grateful nation.
