For the first time since being elected the nation’s 45th commander-in-chief, President Donald Trump made a surprise visit to U.S. troops in Afghanistan on Thursday.

The Thanksgiving trip comes just over a week after two more American troops were killed while serving during America’s longest war. The president and first lady subsequently flew to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to greet the flag-draped caskets of U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 David Knadle and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kirk Fuchigami Jr.

President Trump is the third commander-in-chief to oversee the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan, which began more than 18 years ago following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Until now, the current president had been criticized for not traveling to the war zone to personally meet deployed American troops.

After helping serve turkey to U.S. forces at Bagram Airfield, the commander-in-chief spoke to the troops and thanked them for their service.

“You are very special people,” President Trump said. “And you don’t even know how much the people of our country love and respect you — and they do.”

On this Thanksgiving holiday, let’s join together in thanking our valiant troops, veterans and military families. We have the freedom to enjoy this holiday because of the sacrifices these selfless American warriors make on a daily basis. All of us at The Stream are praying for the swift and safe return of U.S. military personnel deployed overseas.

Tom Sileo is a contributing senior editor of The Stream. He is co-author of 8 Seconds of Courage, Brothers Forever, Fire in My Eyes and the forthcoming Three Wise Men. Follow Tom on Twitter @TSileo and The Stream at @Streamdotorg.