By Carl Weiser
Enquirer Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON - Cheviot native and Navy machinist Stephen Kuczirka nearly went straight from his submarine to the State of the Union speech Tuesday night.

Kuczirka, 31, who lived on Homelawn Avenue in the 1970s, was one of Bush's special guests at the annual speech.

OTHER OHIO INVITEES

Stephen Kuczirka was one of three Ohio presidential guests. The other two: •  Michelle Rhee of Sylvania, president of the New Teacher Project. The project helps recruit teachers for difficult-to-staff schools, according to the White House; •  Eileen "Ellie" Halter, chief executive of Schnipke Engraving Co. in Ottoville. The company has been expanding its business and hiring workers. Separate from the presidential box, Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken attended as a guest of Rep. Rob Portman. Luken, a Democrat, is in town for a meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

He had been deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom on the USS Memphis, which returned Friday to its home port in Groton, Conn.

"He's really looking forward to being at the State of the Union," said his mother, Westwood native Sharon Scharf Kuczirka.

"He enjoys watching politics. He would have been listening to President Bush even if he was home in his living room."

Every year the White House picks about 30 guests who get to sit near the first lady for the speech, watching from the balcony.

This year the list includes several members of the military.

Navy Machinist Mate 1st Class Stephen "Steve" Matthew Kuczirka joined the Navy in May 1992, according to the White House.

He was chosen because he was just named Sailor of the Year for the USS Memphis.

His family moved in 1971 to Cheviot. His father, John, worked for J.C. Penney. Some cousins live in Harrison.

His uncle, Harold Scharf, is a former waterworks supervisor for the city of Cincinnati and recently moved to Sunman, Ind.

"We're all going to be glued to the TV," Harold Scharf said.

"We're all very excited. The Navy's pretty big and to be chosen Sailor of the Year is such a great honor."

Kuczirka is married, has a son and a daughter and now lives in Connecticut.

He was seated in front of Alma Powell, wife of Secretary of State Colin Powell, and behind Washington, D.C., Mayor Anthony Williams, according to a seating chart the White House distributed.