Sarah Beckstrom and sarah beckstrom: Parents to Attend State of the Union After D.C. Guard Shootings
The parents of sarah beckstrom will be special guests at President Trump's State of the Union on Tuesday following her killing while on patrol in Washington, D. C. That recognition — and a Purple Heart presented to another shot Guard member — comes as the families prepare to sit in the House chamber during a speech focused in part on border and homeland security.
Parents of Sarah Beckstrom to attend State of the Union
Evalea and Gary Beckstrom, the mother and father of Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, were invited to the State of the Union and will sit among special guests during the address. President Trump intends to acknowledge the Beckstroms during the portion of his speech on the southern border and homeland security. The invitation follows formal recognition for the two West Virginia Guard members who were shot near the White House.
Purple Heart recognition for Andrew Wolfe and Sarah Beckstrom
President Trump recognized Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, and the late Sarah Beckstrom during the State of the Union, and Wolfe was presented a Purple Heart. Pentagon officials announced in early February that both Guard members would receive the award. Wolfe, joined by his mother, appeared in the chamber and sat across the aisle from the family of Sarah Beckstrom as the president spoke of their cases.
Shooting details: Nov. 26, Farragut Square and legal status of suspect
Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe were shot not far from the White House on Nov. 26 while part of the National Guard deployment in the nation's capital. The two West Virginia Guardsmen were shot near Farragut Square in late November 2025. Wolfe underwent surgery and is recovering. The suspect, described as an Afghan national, pleaded not guilty this month to multiple charges, including first-degree murder and two counts of assault with intent to kill in connection with two Guard members who subdued him at the scene.
Beckstrom's assignment and civilian work before deployment
Beckstrom volunteered to serve in the Trump administration's D. C. National Guard deployment and was assigned to the 863rd Military Police Company, 111th Engineer Brigade at the time of the shooting. Before her deployment she worked for a behavioral health agency, supporting people at risk of psychiatric hospitalization.
California crash victim Dalilah Coleman and the alleged driver
Also invited to the speech are other highlighted guests, including 7-year-old Dalilah Coleman, who was critically injured in a six-car pileup in California allegedly caused by a truck driver who was in the country illegally. White House Coleman would attend. When Dalilah was 5 years old, a commercial tractor-trailer crashed into the car she was riding in, fracturing her skull, breaking her femur and causing a traumatic brain injury, Marcus Coleman — her father, who is also a truck driver — and her mother, Ileana Krause, have said. Since emerging from a coma after the crash, Dalilah has been recovering but is nonverbal and has diplegic cerebral palsy, her family has said.
The driver in that case is identified as Partap Singh, a man from India who was undocumented but was driving with a valid driver's license issued in California when the Department of Homeland Security says he failed to stop for traffic and a construction zone. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials took Singh into custody in August 2025.
Other national headlines mentioned alongside the address
Beyond the Capitol recognitions, recent national items referenced in coverage include a range of business, sports and financial notes: JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon warned about financial risks at the firm's annual investor day meeting, described as its biggest event with members of the analyst community. In sports, Moore was a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, and Jacob Bridgeman, after starting the day with a six-shot lead, is now a winner on the PGA Tour. If released, Williams would become one of the most coveted free agents for teams seeking to upgrade their offensive line. Darryn Peterson, after several notable struggles, appeared fine on a recent Monday night. Skimo made its Olympic debut, with uncertainty whether it will return for another Winter Games. Floyd Mayweather, 49, is stepping back into the ring to rematch Manny Pacquiao, a decision whose timing has prompted debate. Jonathan Kuminga took over as Atlanta's top option following a first-quarter injury to Jalen Johnson and finished a blowout win over the Wizards with a game-high 27 points. On the consumer front, in 2026 you may not need a minimum credit score for a mortgage as lenders look at nontraditional credit factors. Day 8 of the Winter Olympics saw Team USA bounce back and relocate the podium.
Updated Feb. 24, 2026, 5: 04 PM ET.
