LYNN TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Two months after New Tripoli Firefighter Marvin Gruber died in the line of duty, his family will attend President Biden's State of the Union Address on Tuesday night.
Nick and Natalie Gruber, Marvin's son and daughter-in-law, will be in the U.S. House Chamber as guests of U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh Valley, for Biden's second address.
- Nick and Natalie Gruber, son and daughter-in-law of fallen firefighter Marvin Gruber will be guests at the 2023 State of the Union address
- New Tripoli firefighters Marvin Gruber and Zachary Paris died in a three-alarm house fire on Dec. 7 in Schuylkill County
- The Grubers will be guests of U.S. Rep. Susan Wild D-Lehigh/Monroe at the address Tuesday
Marvin Gruber, 59, and Assistant Fire Chief Zachary Paris, 36, of Community Fire Company of New Tripoli were killed Dec. 7 when they were trapped in a burning West Penn Township, Schuylkill County, home.
"It is with deep sadness that we honor the sacrifice of their family, and of the Paris family, and I hope that we can raise awareness of the issues firefighters face so that meaningful legislation can take place to prevent future tragedies."U.S Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh/Monroe
"It is with deep sadness that we honor the sacrifice of their family, and of the Paris family, and I hope that we can raise awareness of the issues firefighters face so that meaningful legislation can take place to prevent future tragedies," Wild said in a news release Monday.
Members of Congress are typically allowed to invite one or two people to the State of the Union Address. The invitations are often used to honor someone within their districts or to signal political priorities. In the past, Wild's past guests include Bethlehem Police Chief Michelle Kott and Yamelisa Taveras, a community activist who has had to ration insulin due to rising prices.
Authorities found the body of Christopher Kammerdiener, 35, a resident of the home, behind the house while firefighters battled the blaze. Police later said Kammerdiener died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Officials have labeled the fire suspicious.
A woman who answered the phone for the West Penn Township Police Monday said there are no new details to release in the investigation.
