by Mike Dorning
While President Bush delivered his State of the Union speech tonight, two wounded Illinois soldiers were watching above from the House gallery.
Army Spec. Christopher Gross of Oswego and Army Staff Sgt. Mathew Ritenour of Chicago both wounded in Afghanistan and currently being treated for combat-related injuries at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., were guests of Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-Ill.)
Gross was wounded in September during a firefight on the Afghan/Pakistan border. Ritenour also was wounded in September as his unit was conducting a patrol in Zabol Province in Afghanistan, according to a statement released by the senator’s office. The statement did not describe the soldiers’ injuries.
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Comments
For these and the other wounded military men and women in the audience at the President's State of the Union address, thank you from a grateful nation. You and the other wounded service members, those who have fallen, those serving and your families deserve our prayers and our gratitude. You have them from this veteran.
Posted by: McCloskey | January 29, 2008 7:24 AM
Dickie Durbin will do anything for attention he is like a little child.
He brought these soldiers because Bush had a couple of soldiers sitting with Laura.
Dickie did it strictly to compete for attention with W.
Then, when the speech was over motor mouth made more Bush bashing statements in an effort to kic start his $7.3 million to 10-15 or more.
Durbin is shameless and still pushes for killing babies in the womb. Being NARAL's best buddy.
He really makes Illinois citizens aware of his hypocrisy. Jerry White, Springfield, IL
Posted by: Jerry White | January 29, 2008 9:10 AM
Posted by: McCloskey | January 29, 2008 7:24 AM
I will second that McCloskey.
Posted by: bill r. | January 29, 2008 9:31 AM
Let's be honest, politicians of all stripes use troops, vets, wounded and not as political props. It's no less disgusting when Durbin does it than when Murderer Boy does it.
That Jerry W. can't see the duplicity in attacking Durbin but not Bush is a surprise to no one.
Posted by: a blinkin | January 29, 2008 10:13 AM
Jerry White,
Are you saying these soldiers are too stupid to know when they are being used as props? You had better apologize sir.
Posted by: jethro | January 29, 2008 10:18 AM
I am disgusted at all of these negative comments with the exception of McCloskey. This article is more about our two wounded soldiers. As a matter of fact my son fought side by side with Spc Gross under more than extreme conditions. How about some positive feed back for a change. In closing, I want to extend a thank you to all the men and women that are serving our Nation. If it were not for them you would not be reading this.
Posted by: Larry Arnone | January 29, 2008 4:14 PM
My son served with sgt. Ritenour during his accident. I would like to know alittle more about him and that day. My son respected him alot. He also said that He was trying to guide all of them before it happened and there was complete caos.
Posted by: terry carter | March 24, 2008 10:00 AM