Mike Pence personally visited National Guard troops at the US Capitol on Thursday evening. He made the visit to personally thank them for their service and for guarding the seat of congress.
“I’m your vice president, but I used to be a governor, so I’ve got a special place in my heart for our National Guard,” Pence told the large number of troops assembled at attention in front of him on the east side of the Capitol. “Thank you all for stepping forward to serve your country, thank you for stepping forward to provide security here in our nation’s capital at such an important time in the life of our nation.”
“I want you to thank your families, as well. I know you all had to move out to get here … at the Capitol providing the level of security that’s going to make it possible for us to have a historic transfer of power, the inauguration of a new President of the United States. You all are going to make that possible.”
“I just came from a briefing at Homeland Security, and I heard about the great efforts that our National Guard is making, and literally thousands and thousands of men and women in uniform are going to make it possible to have a safe inauguration.”
“And I just wanted to stop [by] today to say thank you,” Pence added. “Thank you for your service, thank you for stepping forward. God bless you in the days ahead. It’s been my great honor to serve as your vice president, and I want to thank you for your service.”
Pence spoke with some of the troops:
During an unscheduled stop on Capitol Hill, VP Mike Pence greeted National Guard personnel, thanking them for "stepping forward for your country."
"It's been my great honor to serve as your vice president, and I want to thank you for your service.” https://t.co/DavYQ4PWpO pic.twitter.com/rqjAABl70a
— ABC News (@ABC) January 14, 2021
Pence ended his speech with the message to be “vigilant” and “respect the unified chain of command.”
“Look after your people, and we’re going to deliver to the American people a safe inauguration. We’re going to swear in a new president, a new vice president, and we’re going to move our nation forward, okay? You’re going to make it possible. So, thank you all very much. God bless you.”
#WATCH: Vice President Mike Pence thanked National Guard members at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday night. pic.twitter.com/suIjRmz4pg
— WPRI 12 (@wpri12) January 15, 2021
Pence’s visit came after tens of thousands of National Guard troops were deployed to the Capitol after the building was stormed on January the 6th.
