Three MI Military Members Get White House Recognition

The Department of Defense says 78 service members, including three from Michigan, have been invited to attend a White House dinner tonight hosted by President and Mrs. Obama to express the nation’s gratitude to, and recognize the significant contributions of, the men and women in uniform who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and/or Operation New Dawn, and the families who supported them.

Service members who will attend come from across America; from diverse backgrounds, ranks; and from all services, including Guard and Reserve. Most remain on active duty. These service members and family members represent more than a million Americans and their families who served and made personal sacrifices in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey and the chiefs of the five services and National Guard and Reserve will also attend the dinner.

The three selected to represent Michigan are: Air Force Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy (hometown: Monroe, MI), Air Force Master Sgt. Jessica R. Coombs (hometown unavailable) and Army Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald J. Riling (hometown: Riverview, MI.)