Sarah Sanders: Soldier said Trump inspired return to service

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Wednesday that a U.S. soldier in Iraq told President Trump during his unannounced trip to visit troops there that the president had inspired his return to the military.

“Powerful moment – Member of United States Army told the President he came back into the military because of him,” Sanders tweeted Wednesday evening.

“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,” she added, alongside pictures of the interaction.

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

— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) December 26, 2018

{mosads}”It was an incredible and humbling experience,” she said in a statement to The Hill. “I’m beyond grateful for the men and women who serve in our military and sacrifice so we can be free.”

Trump made the roughly three-hour trip to Iraq, his first visit to troops in a combat zone as president, after facing criticism for not visiting troops fighting overseas since taking office nearly two years ago.

The visit also came amid criticism of his national security strategy.

Trump last week announced that U.S. troops in Syria would be withdrawn from the country, later stating that the U.S. also would withdraw troops partially from Afghanistan.

The announcements were met with concern by many on Capitol Hill who voiced concerns that the withdrawals could erase military gains made in the region.

–Updated at 11:28 a.m.