Powerful moment President meets a brave soldier in Iraq who rejoined the army because of him

December 28, 2018 | by Jaimie-lee Prince

President Donald Trump exchanged words with a soldier who had something unique and personal to tell him.

Press Secretary Sarah Sanders shared a Twitter post highlighting their interaction. It happened during Trump's surprise first visit to a war zone.

On Wednesday, the president visited soldiers stationed at the Al-Asad Air Base in Iraq. The photos are found below.

🚨MOMENTS AGO: President @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS Melania visiting troops at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq... pic.twitter.com/ZUPNZdbJ6w
— Dan Scavino Jr. Archived (@Scavino45) December 26, 2018

While greeting soldiers in the dining hall, one of them told Trump that he had returned to the military because of him.

The president gracefully responded:

"And I'm here because of you, so we have something in common."

The two shook hands as other military soldiers surrounded them. Upon the soldier's request, they then took a selfie together.

As he was posing the soldier also told the President:

"Keep America great."

Sanders revealed in her post that, afterward, the soldier gave her a patch labeled with his regiment's nickname. It read: "Brave Rifles."

President @realDonaldTrump speaks to U.S. troops in Iraq. #TrumpTroopsVisit #USA pic.twitter.com/9CSdO8AwWD
— Kayleigh McEnany 45 Archived (@PressSec45) December 26, 2018

The Army member is part of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment, previously known as the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. It is stationed at Fort Hood.

Soon after Trump shared his own Twitter post showing his visit, he received backlash for his indiscretion.

Those in the comments pointed out that neither the faces nor the location of the troops should have been exposed.

The location of such a deployment, as well as the identities or identifiable faces of service members, are usually classified. https://t.co/LavTUyyczz
— HuffPost (@HuffPost) December 28, 2018

The Defense Department claimed that such information typically remains classified. However, the Secretary of Defense insisted that no rules were broken as a result.

The office said:

“The special operators voluntarily participated in this open press event. There was no security violation.”

Powerful moment - Member of United States Army told the President he came back into the military because of him. And President Trump responded, “And I am here because of you.” I met him after and he gave me the patch from his arm. Incredible. #TrumpTroopsVisit pic.twitter.com/WmQf3b2K8X
— Kayleigh McEnany 45 Archived (@PressSec45) December 26, 2018

Others continued to push that Trump's actions were reckless. Many military family members expressed shock.

After the Iraq visit, Trump and his wife stopped by more troops in another surprise visit. They went to the German base in Ramstein.

🚨Happening Now: President Trump and First Lady Melania visiting troops at Ramstein Air Base in Germany... pic.twitter.com/s04nQZ8bf4
— Dan Scavino Jr. Archived (@Scavino45) December 27, 2018

Some of the soldiers wore Trump's "Make America Great Again" hats. They took pictures with Trump and the first lady on both visits.