NORFOLK, Va. — President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden thanked military families for their service during brief remarks on Sunday afternoon.
The two held a "Friendsgiving" event with families at Naval Station Norfolk.
"I mean from the bottom of my heart you family members are the heart of this operation, so thank you, thank you, thank you," Biden told the families.
Upon arriving at the event, the First Lady acknowledged the passing of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and offered her condolences to the Carter family.
"I hope during the holidays you'll include the Carter family in your prayers," she said.
President Biden also thanked the families and briefly chatted with some of the children in attendance.
The two then began serving food to the families.
The gesture wasn't lost on Perla Lopez, whose husband is currently deployed on USS Gerald R. Ford.
"Honestly it was a privilege getting served by the president. It really made it seem like we're being taken care of and appreciate," Lopez told News 3.
The president also spent time with local Sailors, including Aaron Henriquez.
"It was nerve-racking, but it was an experience I'll never forget," said Henriquez.
Prior to the "Friendsgiving," the President and First Lady introduced an advanced screening of the movie Wonka.
The president spent about an hour and twenty minutes with the families before heading back towards Washington.
While some of the families may be apart this Thanksgiving, they're not alone for the start of the holidays.
"Being away from family is not easy, but one thing I can say that makes it easier is this military community and events like these that bring us together and let us know that we are not for forgotten and we are still important," said Sibrena Sears, whose husband is currently deployed on USS Dwight Eisenhower.
