A bipartisan group of Congress members touring portions of East Asia spent part of Thanksgiving serving lunch to U.S. troops stationed in South Korea before jetting off to Taiwan - despite protests from the Chinese Embassy.
Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina was among the lawmakers serving vegetables, potatoes and turkey to some of the 28,000 American troops stationed in the country.
'Enjoyed serving our troops today,' Mace tweeted. 'Many of our soldiers haven’t been able to visit home or have their families visit them since the start of COVID. Incredibly important to give our men and women in uniform a heartfelt thanks.'
Democratic Rep. Mark Takano of California, chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, was among the politicians who helped scoop food onto soldiers' plates and tossed a football with them.
President Joe Biden also paid tribute to overseas troops on Thanksgiving while remaining in Nantucket for the holiday.
Republican Rep. Nancy Mace (right) joined four Democrats in a tour of three east Asian countries, including South Korea, where she helped serve food to US troops on Thanksgiving
Rep. Colin Allred is seen tossing a football with an American troop during the South Korea visit
Rep. Sara Jacobs dished out food to soldiers before the delegation headed to Taiwan
A group of Congress members, including Democratic Rep. Mark Takano of California, Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, and Democratic Rep. Sara Jacobs of California expressed gratitude to American troops on Twitter and showed their appreciation in person by serving US soldiers stationed in South Korea
'We are thankful for their service and for the opportunity to show them our utmost appreciation for all they do each and every day,' Takano tweeted.
Democratic Rep. Sara Jacobs of California said she was honored to help nourish the soldiers.
'We ask so much of military families, especially during Covid,' she tweeted. 'With so many unable to travel home to see family, I felt it was important to visit and I’m thankful for the opportunity to show them our gratitude.'
Earlier in the week, the delegation - which also includes Democratic representatives Colin Allred of Texas and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan - met with 1st Special Forces and South Korean officials to discuss maintaining stability in the region.
The trip included a visit to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which has served as a buffer between North and South Korea since the Korean War and was famously visited by then-President Donald
