It is called “once in a lifetime” for a reason – an experience so significant and unique, one would think it will never happen again.

For a Navy hospital corpsman, that experience came in the form of meeting President Barack Obama, which happened in June 2009 during a visit to the former National Naval Medical Center (NNMC).

Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Max R. Rohn shared: “I was the first person in my family to meet a sitting president. It was definitely a once in a lifetime experience.”

That experience, however, will now be repeated, as Rohn is among the nearly 80 service members who were invited to a dinner to be hosted by the president and the first lady at the White House on Wednesday, February 29. A statement from the presidential residence released on February 6 shared that the formal dinner called “A Nation’s Gratitude” will serve as an expression of appreciation for the sacrifices and achievements of the men and women who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.

Vice Adm. Matt Nathan, U.S. Navy surgeon general and chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, shared: “I could not be more proud of HM3 Rohn’s selection to represent Navy Medicine at the White House this week… His selfless sacrifice and the courage he has displayed throughout his career and as a wounded warrior make him an exemplary representative for all Navy corpsmen.”

The 24-year-old from Longmont, Colorado will attend the White House dinner as a representative of the Navy, as well as service members and residents from his home state. Rohn shared that he will be attending the event alone. As a result, the mother of a Medal of Honor recipient awarded posthumously will be able to attend the dinner.