Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Donnelly announced local veteran and Elkhart resident Sgt. Mitch Nihart of the Army National Guard as his guest for President Obama’s State of the Union address on Wednesday.  Sgt. Nihart served both in the first Gulf War and in Iraq in 2007 and 2008.

After many years of service in the Army, Nihart retired following the first Gulf War.  In late 2006, Nihart’s son Mitch Nihart, Jr. joined the National Guard with his father’s full support, and in 2007, Mitch, Jr. learned his unit would deploy to Iraq.  His son also mentioned that the National Guard was still looking for recruits.  Sgt. Nihart recalls his son saying, “Come on, Dad, we can do this together.”  Soon, Sgt. Nihart joined the National Guard.

Although he wasn’t able to serve directly with his son, Sgt. Nihart was able to visit with his son several times while they were both stationed in Iraq.  Also, the Niharts were able to overlap their leave for 12 days. 

“Our servicemen and women are our national heroes,” said Congressman Donnelly.  “Sgt. Nihart and his son’s example of selfless sacrifice is something we all can learn from.  I am proud to call Mitch a friend and thank him for his service.”

“I think that Congressman Donnelly is truly one of the greatest friends to soldiers, their families, and veterans than anyone who has had that seat in 20 years,” said Sgt. Nihart.  “He has always supported the families and the soldiers that were on deployments.  He has always made his office available to help us and we’ve certainly gotten a lot done in the last 3 years.”

Injured in Iraq, Sgt. Nihart now serves in a community-based warrior transition unit, or WTU.  Sgt. Nihart is able to work out of centers close to his home in Elkhart while continuing his medical care, and calls the WTU program one of the “greatest programs to come out for citizen soldiers and soldiers as a whole.”

President Obama will be delivering the State of the Union on Wednesday, January 27th at 9:00 p.m. EST.

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