Durbin Meets with Illinois Service Member Who Will Be His Guest for the State of the Union

Press Release

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Major Gerry Sharp -- a Buffalo Grove, Illinois native and Northern Illinois University graduate -- who will be his guest for President Barack Obama's State of the Union address later this evening. Major Sharp has served in the United States Army for twenty-six years. In his current position as Director of the Warrior and Family Coordination Cell at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Major Sharp coordinates efforts to support Wounded Warriors and their families at Walter Reed. Major Sharp will also attend the Secretary of the Senate's dinner immediately preceding the President's address.

"Major Sharp has dedicated his life in service to his country," Durbin said. "He has served in the United States Army for more than two decades, and has deployed in two separate conflicts, first as a radio officer and then as a combat nurse. Major Sharp is now using those experiences to address his fellow soldiers' ongoing, unseen wounds of war in his position as Director of the Warrior and Family Coordination Cell. I am honored to have Major Sharp join me tomorrow night at President Obama's final State of the Union."

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