Written by
The Associated Press
MANKATO, Minn. - An infantryman from Mankato who served two tours in Iraq will be among veterans in the audience Tuesday night for President Obama's State of the Union address.
Mike McLaughlin was invited to the speech in Washington by Congressman Tim Walz of Mankato. McLaughlin says he hopes the presence of military members during the nationally-televised speech will be a reminder to Americans that with many men and women coming home from military duty, their country needs to be responsive to the after-care that they may need.
McLaughlin says some wounds aren't so visible, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and brain injuries. The Free Press says McLaughlin flew out to Washington Monday night and will be back in Minnesota Wednesday morning.
Before Tuesday night's address, McLaughlin was scheduled to accompany Congressman Walz to a veterans breakfast, and a hearing on veterans issues.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. )