Wounded Ellington Marine Will Be at State of the Union Address

Congressman Joe Courtney announced Monday that  will be his invited guest to President Barack Obama's State of the Union Address on Tuesday evening.

Caron, 25, is a member of Plainville-based Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 25th Marines. Caron lost both legs below the knee when he was wounded by an IED in Afghanistan on Nov. 11, 2011. He has been recuperating at Walter Reed National Medical Center in Bethesda, MD, since then.

Courtney visited Caron at Walter Reed last week, and invited him to attend the State of the Union Address.

“By any definition, Cpl. Caron is an American hero,” Courtney said in a release. “It is an honor for me to have him as my guest at Tuesday’s State of the Union. Last week when I visited Cpl. Caron at Walter Reed, his spirits were high, and he was already vowing to beat his doctors’ projections and run on his new legs. Although he has a difficult road of continued rehabilitation ahead, Cpl. Caron’s strength and determination in the face of adversity are an inspiration to us all.”

Caron and his wife, Nina, will join Courtney for dinner in the U.S. Capitol prior to the President’s address. Following dinner, Caron will join Courtney in the U.S. House of Representatives Chamber for the address. Members of Congress are allotted one guest ticket to the State of the Union.

The American Legion in Southington will host a fundraiser on Feb. 11 at Testa's Banquet Facility in Southington in an effort to help Caron. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased in advance. Email Sherri Valentin at Sherval@cox.net or call (860) 655-7210 for more information.

There will be several area "viewing parties" for the State of the Union address. To find a nearby party, click on the link provided.