Sgt. Deanna Orallo has been a soldier for more than 10 years. She was among the hundreds of Fort Bragg soldiers and airmen gathered Monday to hear from first lady Melania Trump and second lady Karen Pence during a tour of the military installation. The two, along with Secretary of the Army Mark Esper, landed at Pope Army Airfield about 11:15 a.m. and spent about four hours at Fort Bragg. During that time they met with troops, visited a school and learned about the special operations community. Orallo, who is with the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, said it meant a lot for the women to visit. “It’s rewarding, very motivating, that somebody that high up is going to take time out of their busy schedules to speak to the families, especially the kids," said Orallo, mother of a 6-year-old son. "To hear that (one of their stops) was the middle school, that was touching that they took the time out of the schedule to say that hi and say thank you and give the recognition of everything that we go through” Trump, Pence and Esper were greeted by Gen. Michael Garrett, commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command, and his wife; Lt. Gen. Francis Beaudette, U.S. Army Special Operations Command’s leader, and his wife; Maj. Gen. Brian McKiernan, deputy commander of the 18th Airborne Corps; Theresa LaCamera, wife of Lt. Gen. Paul LaCamera, commander of the 18th Airborne Corps who is deployed; and Carmen Albertson, wife of Command Sgt. Maj. Charles Albertson, who also is deployed with the 18th Airborne Corps. Fort Bragg is home to many of the nation's quick reaction forces, including elite special operations forces, the 82nd Airborne Division and the 18th Airborne Corps. It is home to approximately 54,000 troops, the most in the U.S. military. Trump, Pence and Esper immediately were taken to sit in on a briefing and to observe demonstrations of special operations capabilities. They also toured the post’s facilities and received a briefing on the selection and training of special operations service members. Media were not allowed to attend that part of the visit. Later, Trump and Pence visited more than 150 students at Albritton Middle School to observe the Month of the Military Child. Students wearing red, white and blue school uniforms cheered and clapped as Trump and Pence walked into the crowed gymnasium. They also sang a song and asked questions. “How have your lives changed after becoming first and second ladies of these United States, and how will these changes impact your life going forward?” student Elanor Sullivan asked. Trump said it’s balancing responsibilities she had before her husband took office with her new responsibilities. But, the first lady said, she would not change anything. “I will always shine a light on children and (the) next generation," Trump said, sharing that her Be Best initiative encourages children to be the best at everything they do, challenge themselves and be positive.. "I’m here to spread positivity and confidence in all of you.” Pence said she considers it a privilege to be able to “elevate” causes they feel passionate about. After the stop at the school, Trump and Pence visited with about 200 soldiers and a few spouses in a packing shed at Fort Bragg’s Green Ramp. Soldiers had phones out to record video of the speeches and crowded around Trump to take photos. While introducing Pence, Esper said her 25 years as an educator makes it fitting that she visited Fort Bragg. “Mrs. Pence’s educational background and understanding of military life provided her with a unique perspective, and we are proud that she and the first lady chose to be here with us today,” Esper said. Pence thanked the soldiers and Air Force airmen for their sacrifices to the nation. “I can say without a doubt that the strength of the nation does not just come from those of you in uniform," she told the crowd. "And don’t get me wrong, we appreciate you and we appreciate that you fight to protect our freedoms. But the spouses and families who serve alongside also make tremendous sacrifices to the great benefit of our country.” While introducing Trump, Pence said the first lady is compassionate and dedicated to the nation’s children. She also said they had assembled comfort kits for service members who were deployed overseas during the holiday season. Trump said visits to military installations remind her of the “costs of freedom.” “On behalf of this country, the president and I stand with each man and woman in uniform serving to defend all of us,” she said. She said her heart goes out to military spouses. “I’m sure there is nothing more difficult to bear than to watch a loved one leave the safety and comfort of home to fight in dark and dangerous places around the world,” Trump said. Orallo, whose husband also is in the Army, said Trump’s and Pence’s comments resonated with her. “They nailed it on the head when they talked about having to say goodbye to loved ones when they leave — that struck home,” Orallo said. “My husband and I are both active duty, multiple overseas tours between both of us.” Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528.<doc-sep>A group of kids at Albritton Middle School asked first lady Melania Trump a handful of questions Monday during her trip with second lady Karen Pence to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. One was about whether she would serve again as first lady. “I really appreciate your warm welcome. It’s nice to be here,” the first lady shared after she and the second lady received cheers and a standing ovation upon entering the room, per a pool report from the first lady’s office. (RELATED: Ivanka Turns Heads In Yellow And Black Floral Dress During Munich Trip) “We are working hard every day to keep America great,” FLOTUS explained after being asked about her and Karen’s duties in the White House. “I think our husbands [President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence] are doing a fantastic job and I would support my husband if he would run again and yes, it’s a privilege, a great honor to serve,” the first lady explained to the kids. At one point, one of the students asked FLOTUS if her life had changed since Trump won the election and how it was different than before. “There is a lot of change,” Melania admitted. “You move from the city that you leave [love], and you taking care of different things that you took care of before.” “But I would not change for anything,” she added. “I love what I do. And what will affect, I will always shine a light on children. And next generation. I’m here to spread positivity and confidence in being all of you, as you make [may] heard, I have initiative. Be Best.” The first lady continued, “And I encourage all of you to be best in everything that you do, to challenge yourself to be true to yourself, and to have positive way in your life.” (RELATED: Tiffany Trump Stuns In Sleeveless Black Dress At WH Christmas Party) Earlier in the day, Melania made headlines when she stepped out looking just as classic as ever wearing a gorgeous khaki coat and pants combo for her visit to North Carolina. (RELATED: Ivanka Turns Heads In Gorgeous Yellow Plaid Skirt Suit)<doc-sep>First Lady Melania Trump joined Second Lady Karen Pence on Monday in a visit to Fort Bragg, North Carolina where the pair visited American troops and their families. Mrs. Trump kept it neutral for the visit, wearing a cotton-blend drill blazer by Alexa Chung which features military details like front flap utility pockets, a belt, and a wide lapel. The blazer retails for about $895. The First Lady paired the blazer with a pair of beige cigarette pants, which she previously wore while traveling in England, and Manolo Blahnik snakeskin stilettos. Mrs. Trump, never one to be too casual, has worn the snakeskin pumps repeatedly. Last year, she wore the stilettos with a camel-toned trench coat dress by Céline. On her return to the White House, Mrs. Trump threw on a pair of turtle shell sunglasses by Saint Laurent. Mrs. Trump posed for photos with American troops and shook the hands of their children during her visit to North Carolina, always dazzling U.S. service members whenever she visits. John Binder is a reporter for Breitbart News. Follow him on Twitter at @JxhnBinder.<doc-sep>
. @FLOTUS at @FtBraggNC: “To all the spouses here, my heart and appreciation goes out to you... the strength of this community is visible in its recovery efforts from the devastating effects of Hurricane Florence.” @ABC @ABC11_WTVD @JTHVerhovek @POTUS @realDonaldTrump @NCGOP pic.twitter.com/wOys4VeuP9 — Jonah Kaplan (@KaplanABC11) April 15, 2019 FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- Melania Trump does not have a seat in the Situation Room, but several military families at Fort Bragg on Monday hoped the First Lady could convey their messages to the White House. "Just basically don't send my husband anywhere he doesn't have to go," Brianna Gonyer told ABC11. Gonyer's husband, Sgt. Nicholas Curtis, has already served an 11 month deployment in Afghanistan. "A lot of people don't realize how hard it is when they leave," she said of military send-offs. "It's hard to make someone understand it because it's not a normal experience."Mrs. Trump, who was joined by Second Lady Karen Pence, is the first member of the First Family to visit Fort Bragg since 2011. The first and second lady received demonstrations of special operations capabilities, toured the base facilities and received a briefing on the selection and training of America's most elite special operators.They also visited a raucous group of youngsters at Albritton Middle School on post. "She was like a rock star," Karen Pence said.The two women finished their afternoon with brief speeches in a hanger at Pope Airfield. "With readiness as the top priority at Fort Bragg, I'm sure there's nothing more difficult to bear than to watch a loved one leave the safety and comfort of home to fight in dark and dangerous s places around the world," Trump told the audience. "My husband and I extend our deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks for the sacrifices that your families make for the protection of our country."