Melania's Selfie Goes Viral After Posting Pic with George H.W. Bush Hat
During a visit to the aircraft carrier that bears his name, first lady Melania Trump gave the 41st president the ultimate tribute with a viral selfie aboard a Navy plane.
“An incredible flight today on a V-22 to visit the service members aboard the USS George HW Bush,” Melania wrote in a tweet. “Thank you to ALL who serve!”
The picture her featured her in the official hat of the aircraft carrier, which was first commissioned in 2009.
(Note: You can’t really tell from this image that the cap is on the first lady’s head, but if you click on the image, it’s readily apparent in the expanded version.)
An incredible flight today on a V-22 to visit the service members aboard the USS George HW Bush. Thank you to ALL who serve! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/ylRIl37qwa
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) December 12, 2018
The flight itself was a historic first, according to The Associated Press: It’s the first time a first lady has ever taken flight in a V-22 Osprey, a tiltrotor aircraft that takes off vertically like a helicopter but rotates its engines to fly like a plane once it’s in the air.
She posted a video of herself aboard the Osprey on her Twitter account.
We are off to visit some of our brave men & women in uniform today & thank them for their service. I’ll be visiting Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Joint Base Langley-Eustis & the #USSGeorgeHWBush aircraft carrier today. Looking forward to meeting everyone! #USA pic.twitter.com/XrYsFyItJJ
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) December 12, 2018
“First ladies usually don’t take solo helicopter rides. When they do travel by helicopter, they often are accompanying the president aboard Marine One, a more traditional aircraft,” the AP reported.
The first lady visited a pair of military bases on Thursday — Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C. and Joint Base Langley-Eustice in Hampton, Virginia — as well as the carrier.
“I’m honored to be able to say welcome home and thank you for answering the call of duty,” the first lady said during her stop in Virginia.
“I have said this before, but it’s worth repeating. We know that we are free because you’re brave. And I speak on behalf of my husband when I tell you we are forever grateful for your service.”
There were plenty of other photos from the day to go around, too.
Wonderful to be in Hangar 789 with many service members & their families at @JBLEnews! Our prayers remain with all those serving overseas this Christmas. God Bless you all! #USA pic.twitter.com/MkCeZlB23k
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) December 13, 2018
An incredible day spending time with our men and women in uniform on USS George H.W. Bush. Thank you for your sacrifice & service! #USA pic.twitter.com/WWncNQfiMj
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) December 13, 2018
As for the USS George H.W. Bush, the 41st president was a fitting tribute to the 41st president, a decorated World War II Naval aviator who was shot down over the Pacific.
“What do you give a guy who has been blessed and has just about everything he has ever needed?” former President George W. Bush said aboard the ship at its 2009 commissioning, according to Fox News. “Well, an aircraft carrier.”
“The ship that bears our dad’s name is more than 95,000 tons of aluminum and steel,” he added. “She will carry nearly 6,000 of the finest sailors and Marines in the world. She represents the craftsmanship of many skilled builders, and thousands of hours of preparation.”
As for George H.W. Bush, the then-84-year-old president had a wistful request.
“I wish I was sitting right out there with you, ready to start the adventures of my naval aviation career all over,” he said.
The ship was a fitting tribute from the Navy. And the hat was a fitting tribute from the first lady.
Rest in peace, 41.
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