“The nation owes a debt to our… service members and their families” for their coronavirus response, President Trump told members of the military and their families on a Wednesday phone call, according to a DOD summary of the call.

The President noted the military’s “selfless service” as its members assist in pandemic response across the country.

The President was joined by Vice President Mike Pence, Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley.

Esper expressed DOD’s commitment to protecting the force, preserving the military’s medical capability, and adequately testing and treating service members and their families, according to the readout.

Service members had an opportunity to ask questions, which DOD said covered such topics as the military’s support capabilities, the outbreak’s long-term impact on the nation, and advice to military families experiencing deployment extensions and change of duty station delays.

Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Mike DiMestico