Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) has announced Elton Johnson, Jr., a Lieutenant Colonel in the Infantry Branch in the U.S. Army Retired Reserves and resident of Moreno Valley, as his guest to the State of the Union.

“I am honored to have a constituent and proud veteran, Elton Johnson, Jr., join me as my guest to the State of the Union. Elton has dedicated his life to serving our country honorably and to supporting veterans in our community,” said Rep. Mark Takano. “I was introduced to Elton when he contacted my district office for help getting a special immigrant visa for his translator in the Middle East. He continued working closely with my staff to get seven other translators special immigrant visas of their own. As Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I see first-hand the sacrifices that our veterans have made to protect and defend our country. It is important for President Trump to understand how to help veterans and immigrants who supported our Armed Forces in the battlefield. I look forward to hearing how he plans to address our veterans’ priorities in his State of the Union address.”

Elton Johnson, Jr. is a Moreno Valley native. He served in the 4th Marine Division and later transferred to the U.S. Army, where he spent ten years in the U.S. Army Special Forces. In 1985, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Armor Branch. After the 9/11 attacks, he was called up for active military duty and served two tours of duty in Iraq, and one tour of duty in Afghanistan. He is currently a Lieutenant Colonel in the Infantry Branch in the U.S. Army Retired Reserves and he is enrolled in American Military University where he is pursuing his Master’s in Business Administration under the new G.I. Bill, and serves as the President and CEO of AmeriVet Securities, Inc. His military awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Combat Action Badge.

“I am greatly honored to be selected to attend the State of the Union Address as the guest of my Congressman, Mark Takano,” said Elton Johnson, Jr. “Congressman Takano has done an excellent job as Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee. He has a genuine concern for veterans, and he takes a personal interest in helping to solve the problems we face in dealing with civilian life after the military. There is no way I can ever thank Congressman Takano enough for what he has done for me.”