Rep. McKinley to Host W.Va. Veteran for State of the Union Address

Statement

Rep. David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-W.Va.) announced Monday he will have Sergeant Michael Novotney as a special guest to Tuesday night's State of the Union address by President Obama in the U.S. Capitol.

"Men and women like Sgt. Michael Novotney have spent countless hours away from their families and friends to risk their lives to protect ours," said Rep. McKinley. "Sgt. Novotney bravely served this country with three tours of duty: in Iraq and Afghanistan. This hero has gone above and beyond the call of duty to protect our freedoms. It's an honor to have Michael join me at the State of the Union address."

"As a combat veteran, it's an extreme honor to come home and be a part of history," said Sgt. Michael Novotney. "Not too many people get a chance to do this so I'm very much honored and it's something I won't forget."

Sgt. Michael Novotney served five years in the U.S. Army with the 101st Airborne-Air Assault Division. During his last tour of duty Sgt. Novotney was a team leader in a light infantry company. Sgt. Novotney served three tours: Afghanistan from February to July of 2002; Iraq in February of 2003 to January of 2004; and Iraq in September of 2005 to September of 2006. Michael continues to serve his country working at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a Veteran Outreach Specialist in Wheeling, W.Va.

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