Army veteran Tony Rankins, who lives in Cincinnati, will be a guest of the president and First Lady Melania Trump, a White House official told The Enquirer
Rankins is a recovering drug addict who now works in construction in a Cincinnati "opportunity zone," low-income area that receives tax advantages for investments. Opportunity zones were created as part of Trump's 2017 tax cuts.
Rankins struggled with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and drug addiction after serving in Afghanistan. He lost his job and family, started living out of his car and eventually ended up in prison, according to the White House.
After his release, Rankins went to work for Denver-based R Investments, which does development work in Cincinnati. The real estate and construction company trained Rankins in carpentry, painting and brick work. His job in Cincinnati has helped Rankins to remain drug-free and reunite with his family, the White House official said.
“I’m honored and humbled beyond words to be invited to this wonderful and powerful event," Rankins said in a White House release. "To be able to share my story as to how I was empowered to rise from being homeless and facing addictions to the greatness that awaits every man for a higher purpose in our great country."
