RICHLANDS, N.C. — In a united display of gratitude and support, Melania Trump and Usha Vance embarked on their first joint trip to North Carolina on Wednesday. The visit aimed to honor the dedication and sacrifices of service members and their families as the holiday season draws near.

Arriving in the quaint town of Richlands, the wives of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, a former Marine, made their way to Camp Lejeune. Notably, Lejeune is recognized as the largest Marine Corps base on the East Coast. Their itinerary also included a stop at the nearby Marine Corps Air Station New River.

As their motorcade progressed towards Lejeune, they passed a charming scene—a rooster roaming freely in a front yard, adding a touch of local color to the journey. The day’s agenda was filled with engagements, including interactions with students from military families and speeches by both Melania Trump and Usha Vance to service members and their families.

During her address, the First Lady was poised to pay tribute to the Marine Corps, celebrating its 250 years of service. She planned to express heartfelt thanks to the Marines and their families, underscoring the vital role families play in supporting the U.S. military.

Additionally, Melania Trump intended to shed light on an issue she has been increasingly focused on: the fast-paced advancements in technology, particularly the rise of artificial intelligence.

Both women left the morning after attending the first formal White House dinner of Trump’s second administration, a black-tie affair planned by the first lady to honor Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia.

They have appeared together at other public events, most notably at the inauguration of their husbands at the Capitol in January.

Other joint appearances came at a White House event celebrating military mothers and a luncheon for Senate spouses, both in May; opening night of “Les Misérables” at the Kennedy Center in June; and the president’s signing last week of an executive order to help foster children. The order was in support of the first lady’s Fostering the Future program, which is part of her child-focused Be Best initiative.

Melania Trump has centered her work around children, starting with the launch of Be Best during her husband’s first term to focus on their welfare, online safety and opioid abuse.

Last month, she announced that eight children displaced by the Russia-Ukraine war had been reunited with their families following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Earlier this year, the first lady helped lobby Congress to pass legislation imposing federal penalties for online sexual exploitation, often targeting young girls. Her husband signed the bill into law in May.

Usha Vance, a former lawyer, launched a “Summer Reading Challenge” to encourage students in kindergarten through eighth grade to read 12 books during the school break. Certificates and prizes were promised to those who completed the challenge.

The second lady often accompanies the vice president on his trips and sometimes brings along their three young children.