In a show of solidarity and gratitude, Texas Governor Greg Abbott and a coalition of state governors served Thanksgiving meals to National Guard soldiers and Department of Public Safety troopers stationed along the southern border, praising their efforts in what officials described as a historic border security operation.
The holiday gathering in Eagle Pass brought together top border security officials and governors from multiple states who took turns expressing appreciation to service members deployed as part of Operation Lone Star, the Texas-led border enforcement initiative launched in March 2021.
A Border “Saved” by State Action
Governor Abbott didn’t mince words when addressing the troops. “Thank you all for your service. You saved the United States of America at a time when we were being overrun by millions of people coming across the border illegally,” he said, framing their mission as existential to national security. “You were the vanguard to make sure that in Texas, we put up a fight to defend our country and defend our state.”
The event highlighted what officials characterized as dramatic improvements in border security. U.S. Border Czar Tom Homan made the striking claim that “We have the most secure border in the history of the nation today,” crediting service members for “keeping criminals from crossing into our country.” National Border Patrol Council President Paul Perez echoed this assessment, describing the current situation as “the most secure border that we have ever seen in our entire history.”
Operation Lone Star, which Abbott initiated less than two months into President Biden’s term, has reportedly contributed to a 92% decrease in illegal crossings since peak levels under the Biden administration, according to officials present at the event.
Multi-State Support for Border Mission
What’s notable about Thursday’s gathering? The presence of governors from Missouri, Nebraska, Tennessee and Virginia underscored how the border issue has galvanized support beyond Texas. Each took turns serving food and offering personal thanks to troops deployed far from home during the holiday season.
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe emphasized that border security concerns extend well beyond Texas. “Every state is a border state. What you are doing here makes a difference,” he told the assembled service members, adding that Missouri personnel who had served at the border reported positive experiences working with Texas forces.
Nebraska’s Governor Jim Pillen struck a particularly emotional tone, acknowledging the personal sacrifices made by those serving. “You risk your personal safety and health for all Nebraskans and everybody in the United States of America,” he stated, pledging continued support from his state.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee kept his remarks brief but pointed: “You should know there are people around this country who pray for your protection. There are hundreds of millions of Americans who owe a debt of gratitude to you.”
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, whose state has also contributed National Guard personnel to the border mission, remarked that “the sentiment of thank you seems almost insufficient,” calling the border work “the most critical work in this country.”
Political Context Amid Holiday Sentiment
Though wrapped in Thanksgiving gratitude, the event carried unmistakable political overtones. Operation Lone Star began explicitly as a response to what Governor Abbott characterized as “Biden Administration policies that refuse to secure the border and invite illegal immigration” when he initiated the program in 2021.
The gathering of predominantly Republican governors serving meals to troops comes during a transition period following Donald Trump’s election victory. Trump campaigned heavily on border security issues and has pledged major enforcement actions when he takes office in January.
Still, for the service members spending their holiday away from families, the day offered a moment of recognition from state leaders. As Governor Abbott concluded his remarks to the troops: “We thank you, and God bless you all for what you are doing for our country.”
