Clint Romesha, Medal Of Honor Recipient, Declines State Of The Union Invite

Medal Of Honor Recipient Declines State Of The Union Invite
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 11: U.S. President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry to Clinton Romesha, a former active duty Army Staff Sergeant, at the White House February 11, 2013 in Washington, DC. Romesha received the Medal of Honor for actions during combat operations against an armed enemy at Combat Outpost Keating, Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan on October 3, 2009. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 11: U.S. President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry to Clinton Romesha, a former active duty Army Staff Sergeant, at the White House February 11, 2013 in Washington, DC. Romesha received the Medal of Honor for actions during combat operations against an armed enemy at Combat Outpost Keating, Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan on October 3, 2009. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

One day after receiving the U.S. Army's highest accolade, former Staff Sergeant Clint Romesha will not be attending President Barack Obama's State of the Union, despite an invitation from the first lady.

Romesha, who received a Medal of Honor from the president on Monday, declined Michelle Obama's State of the Union invitation, CNN reported Tuesday.

"I've done some soul searching," Romesha told CNN. "As much as a great honor it would be to be a guest of the first lady, it's also kind of hard to break away from the friends and the family and all the great guys here."

Michelle Obama will attend the State of the Union with 25 other guests, including a 102-year-old woman who waited hours in line to vote, a young undocumented immigrant, and a teacher who survived the mass shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school.

Romesha was awarded the nation's highest military honor Monday for "courageous leadership" during a 2009 firefight in Afghanistan, the Associated Press reported.

According to the New York Times, Romesha is only the fourth living U.S. soldier from the War in Afghanistan to receive the honor. He said he felt conflicted about the award, recalling the friends who were injured or died during his time in the Army.

"The joy comes from recognition for us doing our job on distant battlefields, but is countered by the constant reminder of the loss of our battle buddies," Romesha said upon accepting the award.

WATCH the clip below:

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Romesha was only the fourth living person to receive a Medal of Honor. Romesha was in fact the fourth living U.S. soldier who served in Afghanistan to earn the award.

Before You Go

Justice Alito Mouths 'Not True'

Unforgettable State of The Union Moments

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot