“I am so impressed by your positive attitudes and resilient spirit,” Mrs. Trump told those affected by the storms.
First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Karen Pence visited Corpus Christi, Texas and the surrounding areas of Coastal Bend to show support to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.
The Corpus Christi Caller-Times reported on the visit to the South Texas area impacted by the devastating storms.
Mrs. Trump and Mrs. Pence were joined by by Cecilia Abbott, wife of Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush. The group visited those affected by the storms, which ravaged Texas in late August.
At the airport, Mrs. Trump wasted no time recognizing the extraordinary efforts of first responders and emergency personnel. Present were representatives from the Army, Corpus Christi Fire Department, Rockport Police, and the Nueces County Sheriff’s Office.
Thank you #Texas! So enjoyed my visit with everyone today. Special thanks to 1st responders & @CoastalBendFB for all that you do! We are with you Texas. #TexasRebuilds pic.twitter.com/GwPHoUrJVl
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) December 7, 2017
The Texas Spirit
Rosemary and Mario Zamorano told Mrs. Trump and Mrs. Pence that they will rebuild the home where they have raised their five children.
The First Lady and Second Lady then visited Rockport, Texas. They met with the Zamorano family, whose home was destroyed in the storm. Their home was one of many buildings in Aransas County, where Rockport is located, that were damaged or destroyed. A reported 80% of structures in Aransas County were damaged, while almost 30% were completely destroyed.
But the Zamorano remain optimistic. Rosemary and Mario Zamorano told Mrs. Trump and Mrs. Pence that they will rebuild the home where they have raised their five children.
“I want to thank Mario and Rosemary Zamorano, and your wonderful children, for allowing us to tour what was once your family home,” Mrs. Trump told them.
“I am so impressed by your positive attitudes and resilient spirit,” she added. This same spirit is what has kept so many Texans pushing forward to recover and rebuild in the aftermath of the storms.
Almost 600 families, including the Zamoranos, are currently in temporary housing provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Texas Land Office, according to Texas Land Commissioner, George P. Bush.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-54sjqU6_U
Communities Coming Together
In a letter to parents, the district concluded by emphasizing that their priority is for students in Aransas Pass “to be ‘HOME’ in our AP schools where they belong and being taken care of by ‘OUR’ AP teaching staff. WE ARE AP!”
The visit also included a stop at Charlie Marshall Elementary School and the Coastal Bend Food Bank.
Aransas Pass Independent School District, which includes Charlie Marshall Elementary, was impacted heavily by Hurricane Harvey. Students were unable to return to school until October following extensive clean-up efforts.
Mrs. Trump and Mrs. Pence spoke with students and observed classes.
Students from AC Blunt Middle School, which received the most damage, began the school year at the Charlie Marshall Elementary campus or Aransas Pass High School campus.
In a letter to parents, the district concluded by emphasizing that their priority is for students in Aransas Pass “to be ‘HOME’ in our AP schools where they belong and being taken care of by ‘OUR’ AP teaching staff. WE ARE AP!”
At the Coastal Bend Food Bank, the First Lady and Second Lady helped box and sort items. The Coastal Bend Food Bank provides food to residents in need in Corpus Christi and nearby areas, including those still feeling the effects of Harvey.
Mrs. Trump and Mrs. Pence concluded their visit with an unscheduled stop to Whataburger. Their trip ended with burgers and fries, including fries for the press along on the trip.
Along with recognizing Mrs. Trump and Mrs. Pence for the compassion and admiration they showed for those impacted by the storm, news coverage has focused on their unscheduled and down-to-earth stop at the Texas fast food chain.
It seems the two ladies truly embraced the Texas spirit of resilience, rebuilding, and great burgers during their visit.
