First Lady Melania Trump recently spent time with veterans and their families at an event in Virginia, and even took a moment to pose with a veteran who couldn’t attend the event.
Trump visited Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia on Dec. 12 and met a number of veterans, their spouses, and children.
Timothy Mong wasn’t among the crowd—he couldn’t make it. But his wife brought a large picture of him and asked the first lady to pose with it, which she did with a big smile.
Mong said his wife came up with the idea.
Veteran Could Not Attend Event With The First Lady – Melania Took A Photo With Him Anyway https://t.co/49rhyesX8S pic.twitter.com/idwmYzoyYi
— The Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) December 14, 2018
“My wife told me she was going to meet the first lady about a week ago,” he told The Daily Caller.
“I was happy for her but I was also pretty bummed I couldn’t be there to meet her in person as well. She came up with the idea to print out a photo of me in hopes of her taking a picture with it.”
“This was the next best thing if it worked and I had my doubts,” Mong added.
“My wife pushed through a crowd and explained the situation to Mrs. Trump and she happily obliged.”
Trump told the crowd, “We know that we are free because you are brave. And I speak on behalf of my husband when I tell you we are forever grateful for your service.”
Trump also posed for photos with those in attendance and was given a tour of an F-22A Raptor fighter jet.
Trump Makes History With Osprey Ride
The first lady made history by flying in a V-22 Osprey aircraft onto the deck of an aircraft carrier.
The White House says it’s the first time a first lady has flown in an Osprey, a tiltrotor aircraft that takes off and lands vertically.
She flew from Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington to Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton, Virginia, and onto the deck of the USS George H.W. Bush and back.
Trump visited a different area of the Virginia base on Tuesday to support the annual Toys for Tots drive.
During the drive, she made a little girl’s dream come true by spending time helping her make Christmas cards and organize toys.
Jackie Rodriguez, 7, spoke with Trump and the pair then spent about 20 minutes together. Rodriguez was smiling widely but did start crying when the first lady left.
“She has been waiting for this day,” Nancy Rodriguez told the Daily Caller. “She has been talking non-stop about meeting Mrs. Trump. This is her Christmas dream come true.”
“She’s crying because Mrs. Trump is gone,” Rodriguez added. As a parting gift, the first lady gave Jackie the drawing she made, which the girl was holding.