Common man celebrated at RNC as Gold Star families, Trump's granddaughter, Vance's mom steal the show

Day three of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was a rousing success, highlighting not only a softer side of former President Donald Trump but the colorful patriotism of middle America. From Gold Star families to gun-totin' grandmas, on Wednesday night, Republicans made the pitch that they are the party of America's heartland.

Gold Star families

The main speeches began on a solemn note, as family members representing 13 fallen U.S. Marines, soldiers, and sailors took the stage to share the heartbreak they have endured since Joe Biden hastily withdrew U.S. troops from Afghanistan on August 26, 2021. "They were just kind of left there, hung out to dry," Cheryl Juels said of her niece Sgt. Nicole Gee and the other 12 servicemen and women who perished during the evacuation.

'Donald Trump knew all of our children’s names. He knew all of their stories.'

Not only are the family members still grieving, they believe that the Biden administration has never honored their lost loved ones appropriately. They mentioned Biden checking his watch as their loved ones' bodies were brought to Dover Air Force Base and his apparent indifference to their sacrifice.

"To this day, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have never mentioned these fallen soldiers' names," said the narrator of a video featuring the Gold Star families.

Those names are Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, Sgt. Nicole Gee, Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, Cpl. Daegan W. Page, Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, Navy Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak, and Cpl. Hunter Lopez.

Biden's alleged callousness has prompted the families to support Trump. "While Joe Biden has refused to recognize their sacrifice, Donald Trump spent six hours in Bedminster [New Jersey] with us," said Gee's mother, Christy Shamblin. "Donald Trump knew all of our children’s names. He knew all of their stories."

A WWII veteran

After the Gold Star families returned to their seats, another man who served his country took the stage in endearing fashion. Sgt. William "Bill" Pekrul, a 99-year-old proud Wisconsinite who stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day in June 1944, spoke of his enduring love for his country.

"America is still worth fighting for," he insisted.

He also expressed admiration for Trump's leadership while in office and claimed that, should duty call once again, he'd happily re-enlist. "I would storm whatever beach ... my country needs me to," he said.

A member of the next Trump generation

Another speaker who stole the hearts and minds of viewers is a member of a much younger generation. Kai Trump, the 17-year-old daughter of Donald Trump Jr., gave the world a glimpse of a different side of former President Trump, a man she lovingly calls Grandpa.

'We love you, Grandpa. Never stop fighting!'

"To me, he's just a normal grandpa. He gives us candy and soda when our parents aren't looking. He always wants to know how we're doing in school," she explained.

Kai made mention of her and her grandfather's shared love of golf and their affectionate rivalry when playing against one another. "He tries to get in my head," she said with a smile.

Despite her youth, Kai is very much aware of the forces at work trying to thwart her grandfather's re-election efforts. "A lot of people have put my grandpa through hell," she claimed, adding that he has always managed to persevere.

"We love you, Grandpa. Never stop fighting!"

JD Vance pays homage to his family

The night closed with a strong, focused speech from Trump's vice presidential nominee, Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio). And while he advocated strongly for policies that he believes will best uplift the "forgotten communities" of Appalachia and the Rust Belt, the area of the country that Vance calls home, his fond description of his wife, his mother, and his late grandmother stole the show.

'This frail old woman made sure that no matter where she was, she was within arm's length of whatever she needed to protect her family.'

Many in the audience were likely already familiar with these women since Vance discussed all three at length in his 2016 best-selling memoir, "Hillbilly Elegy," a story that director Ron Howard then turned into a major film four years later.

Though Vance grew up in a troubled family, marred by poverty and addiction, he shared humorous anecdotes about his loved ones, including his late grandmother Bonnie Vance, whom he called Mamaw, a "guardian angel" who was "tough as nails."

According to Vance, in addition to her fierce love of her family, Mamaw loved "the Lord," "the F-word," and guns. Following Mamaw's death in 2005, the family "found 19 loaded handguns" in her house, Vance claimed.

"They were stashed all over her house — under her bed, in her closet, in the silverware drawer. ... This frail old woman made sure that no matter where she was, she was within arm's length of whatever she needed to protect her family."

During his speech, Vance also paid tribute to his mother, Beverly Aikins, whose struggles with addiction shaped much of Vance's childhood. Now nearly 10 years sober, Aikins attended the convention and beamed with pride as Vance gestured to her, seated near Trump.

"That's my boy," she repeated as the audience chanted, "JD's mom!"

"I love you, Mom," Vance added.

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