Gerald D. Givens Jr. is a retired member of the U.S. Air Force and the founder and CEO of Raleigh Boots On The Ground, a nonprofit that supports military families. Givens has been vocal about his disapproval of President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. In the past week, he received the pictures from a friend of his, whose son is currently serving on board the ship in the Middle East.
"[My friend] told me her son has lost 17 pounds," Givens told Newsweek. "Her husband, also a close friend and a retired veteran, shared that a care package they sent in December still has not arrived."