Blumenthal To Host Iraq War Veteran, Military Sexual Assault Survivor At State Of The Union Address

(Hartford, CT) – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) announced that he will host Manchester resident Staff Sgt. Sandra Lee at the State of the Union address on Tuesday, January 28. Staff Sgt. Lee was deployed to Iraq for almost a year, during which time she survived multiple roadside bombs. After the first attack, she suffered a concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury, and with each subsequent attack her TBI symptoms increased. She was also sexually assaulted by a fellow soldier during her service, and has been a strong advocate with Blumenthal for reforming the way sexual assaults in the military are prosecuted.
 
“Sandra Lee is a hero and patriot, having served and sacrificed in war, and survived sexual assault in the military,” Blumenthal said. “She has shown her extraordinary courage on the battlefield and then at home, telling her story to give support to other survivors, and help reform the military system. I am proud to host her for the President's address, and hope she has the opportunity to share her story with my colleagues.”