Lancia heads south for special dedication

State Rep. Robert Lancia (R, District 16 - Cranston) recently traveled down to Oakland, Florida, to visit an old friend.

Lancia first connected with Capt. Elmer Rivera at an entrepreneurship boot camp for disabled veterans at Louisiana State University, and they have stayed in touch ever since. Rivera has had 12 surgeries since he was severely injured during a mortar attack on Abu Ghraib prison, where he served with the military police.

Now, a nonprofit called Home at Last has dedicated its sixth house to Capt. Rivera, and he invited Lancia down to say prayers and guest speak at the event.

“God bless him,” Lancia said. “I was just shocked at what he went through and it was amazing to me.”