Northern Kentucky soldier attends SOTU

A Northern Kentucky soldier whom the Army has modeled an action figure after, sat with first lady Laura Bush tonight when President Bush delivered his State of the Union speech.

Army Sgt. Tommy Rieman of Independence, Ky., was wounded in 2003 when his team came under heavy enemy fire during a reconnaissance mission in Iraq.

According to a biography from the White House, Rieman used his body as a shield to protect his gunner, causing Rieman to be shot in the chest and arm, and receive shrapnel wounds to his legs. But Rieman refused medical attention and stayed in the fight, helping to repel a second attack by firing grenades at the enemy until their guns went silent.

He was awarded the Silver Star for his "exceptional" courage, the White House said.

Rieman wrestled and was captain of the football team at Simon Kenton High School, where he graduated in 1999.

And although he now works in the personnel office at the Pentagon, Rieman also has a second mission: He's one of the Army's nine official action figures and one of several real-life soldiers depicted in the Army's new computer game, "America's Army: Real Heroes."

The online game, which has attracted more than 8 million players to its website, is designed to provide entertainment while also serving as a public relations and recruiting tool. It allows players to go from training to carrying out various missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Rieman, who was pumping gas in Independence when he decided to enlist in the Army, spoke to 1,500 students at Simon Kenton last March about his experiences.

"I want these kids to know what I've been through and to open their eyes up," Rieman, then 25, told the Enquirer. "It's all very surreal."