Journal-News.com

HAMILTON — Local residents whose loved ones were killed in the Iraq War have been invited to meet with President Bush today.

The president is scheduled to visit the National Museum of the United States Air Force near Dayton today, March 27. Bush is expected to deliver a speech on the war on terror and attend a fundraiser in the Dayton suburb of Bellbrook.

At least two local residents who have lost loved ones in the war have been invited to attend a private lunch with Bush.

Sally Davenport, of Coleman Drive in Hamilton, is the mother of Capt. Edward Jason Korn, a Savannah, Ga., man killed in Baghdad on April 3, 2003.

Davenport, who plans to attend the event with her husband David, said she's honored by the invitation and expects Bush to tell her that her son "didn't die in vain."

"My son wanted to join the war effort. He died doing what he loved best — being a warrior," she said.

Bethany MacKinnon of Round Hill Drive in Hanover Twp. is the widow of Capt. Michael J. MacKinnon, a Helena, Mont., killed in the Iraq War on Oct. 27, 2005.

MacKinnon could not be reached for comment. But her mother, Rebecca Clark, of Sunset Drive in Hamilton, said her daughter will meet the president with her two children, 10-year-old Madison and 8-year-old Noah, who attend St. Joseph School.

"The children are excited," Clark said. "When people ask them what they did for spring break, they can say they had lunch with the president."

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2122 or rwilson@coxohio.com.