CRBC News
Culture
Society
Security
Health
Conflict
Science
Technology
Politics
Environment
Lifestyle
Economy

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Serves Thanksgiving Aboard U.S. Navy Ships on Southern Spear Mission

Pete Hegseth and his wife, Jennifer, spent Thanksgiving aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Winston S. Churchill, serving meals to sailors deployed on the Southern Spear mission. Hegseth, who reflected on his own deployments, aimed to lift morale for crews away from home. He offered prayers for two National Guardsmen who were recently attacked and quoted George Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation in closing remarks.

11:49 AM, 11/28/2025Security

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his wife, Jennifer, spent Thanksgiving aboard U.S. Navy ships in the Latin American region, personally serving meals to sailors supporting Southern Spear, a mission aimed at disrupting narco-terror networks.

Ship visits and personal outreach

The Hegseths visited the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill, where they met with crews and handed out Thanksgiving plates. Video shared on social media shows them serving food and speaking with service members in mess decks and common areas.

Remarks and reflections

Speaking to the crew aboard the Gerald R. Ford, Hegseth reflected on his own deployments, saying that he understood what it was like to miss family holidays and that the visit was intended to bring “a little bit of cheer” to sailors who could not be home for Thanksgiving.

“Happy Thanksgiving from me, the Secretary of Defense, from the President, and from a grateful nation,” Hegseth told the crew. “Whether on patrol at home or interdicting cartels at sea, we are grateful for you.”

Addressing a recent attack

Hegseth also offered prayers and support for two Washington, D.C., National Guardsmen who were recently attacked, calling the incident a reminder of “the bravery and the selflessness of Americans who put it all on the line.” He extended condolences to the victims and their families and reaffirmed the department’s commitment to service members and their loved ones.

Closing

He closed his remarks by citing George Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation and offering a prayer for all deployed forces: “Godspeed, God bless, you are in our prayers, and we are grateful.” The Department of Defense said the visit was part of outreach efforts to boost morale among forces assigned to regional security operations.

Similar Articles

Trending

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Serves Thanksgiving Aboard U.S. Navy Ships on Southern Spear Mission - CRBC News