President Obama thanks troops in NJ

President Obama was in New Jersey Monday to thank troops and their families for their service.

Several thousand servicemen and women gave the president a warm welcome to joint base Dix McGuire Lakehurst.

"We can gather with friends and family because you're willing to hug yours goodbye and step forward to serve," Obama said.

The president told the multi service crowd it should be proud of what's been accomplished in Afghanistan as the US combat presence there comes to an end.

"You helped decimate the core Al Qaeda leadership and delivered justice to Osama bin Laden," Obama said.

And the president congratulated the troops for their role in fighting the Ebola epidemic in Africa.

"Airlifting food and equipment and personnel you have been out front. Ultimately we will have saved thousands of lives because of you," Obama said.

"I really thought that was awesome, especially in time for the holidays. It's very rare where you get to meet your boss, like the big guy, so that did a lot for the morale on base," Sr. Airman Deaja Hopkins-Shaw said.

"Being I served in Iraq, been overseas, missed the birth of my child, it was good to come see and hear some good words," US Navy CPO Jason Zelonis said.

"Real good to see him come today and tell us that finally after 13 years of Afghanistan and the Middle East, we're about to be out of there finally," US Air Force Sr. Airman Quentin Rose said.

Governor Chris Christie was there in the audience along with members of New Jersey's congressional delegation.

Some have been talking to the president and other officials about the planned phase-out of the bases fleet of refueling planes; there are concerns that could put the base at risk foreclosure

"The fact that we have three services jointly here, of course, as the only base in the country that has all three services, is a testament to the efficacy and the strength we can project globally," Senator Robert Menendez said.