February 12, 2013

Manchin Invites West Virginia Veteran as Guest to State of the Union

Manchin honored to bring Major Richard Ojeda, a West Virginia veteran and community leader, to State of the Union

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced today that he is honored to invite Major Richard Ojeda, a West Virginia veteran and a community organizer, as his guest for the President’s State of the Union address. Major Ojeda started the Logan Empowerment Action and Development (LEAD) organization that leads several volunteer projects in Logan County and addresses drug abuse and addiction in his community.

“Major Ojeda is one of the most well-loved and active members of his community,” said Senator Manchin, who serves on the Armed Services Committee and co-founded the Senate Veterans Jobs Caucus. “He served this nation in uniform in both Iraq and Afghanistan and continues to serve through the organization he started, Logan Empowerment Action and Development. His work and dedication to the Logan community is an inspiration to us all and that is why I am so proud to invite Richard to represent West Virginia as my guest.”

Major Ojeda has rallied many citizens to work to make life better in Logan County. His organization has been involved with clean-ups around the community and has worked with state and county officials to curb the rampant drug abuse in Logan. He began his work as an activist by writing frequent letters to the Logan Banner editor. 

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