Trump Congratulates Wounded Soldier, Awards Him Purple Heart

President Trump traveled with the first lady to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda where he presented a Purple Heart to a soldier who had been recently wounded while on duty in Afghanistan.

The trip, which had not been on the president's schedule, took place Saturday afternoon.

"When I heard about this I wanted to do it myself," the president told Sgt. 1st Class Alvaro Barrientos as Barrientos' wife, Tammy, and First Lady Melania Trump looked on. "Congratulations. Tremendous." (For more information on this and other political stories, subscribe to the White House Patch for daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

The president put his hand on the sergeant's shoulder, kissed Tammy on the cheek and then pinned the Purple Heart on Barrientos' lapel.

The president then slapped the sergeant on the back.

The ceremony took place in front of a wall with a display of pictures of presidents visiting the hospital. There is a sign above the pictures reading, The President's Hospital.

Trump and the first lady spent about one hour at the facility, getting a tour and meeting with service members.

Pool photo via Getty Images News/Getty Images