By Katrease Stafford and Todd Spangler

A Syrian refugee whose story gripped the nation because several of his family members were killed in a bombing attack has been invited to attend President Barack Obama's final State of the Union Address on Tuesday.

Refaai Hamo, 55, who now lives in Troy with his four children, will sit with First Lady Michelle Obama in the House of Representatives' gallery, the White House confirmed to the Free Press on Sunday.

"I was thrilled when I heard that President Barack Obama is welcoming us into the United States," Hamo said in a statement released by the White House. "I felt that hope was revived, as well as the strength to continue my dreams and ambition in my new country. I am so proud and honored to be in this country and look forward to one day becoming an American citizen, so that we can be part of making America a strong a great country."

Hamo, his 18-year-old son, Mohammad, and his three surviving daughters — 22-year-old Runahi, 19-year-old Riham and 16-year-old Rama — arrived in Michigan at Detroit Metro Airport in December. The family was resettled in Troy by Lutheran Social Services of Michigan, the state’s largest re-settler of refugees. In 2014, the group helped 4,620 refugees resettle.

Scientist who fled Syria arrives 'home' in Michigan

Hamo, the son of a farmer and housewife, was raised on his family's farm in Afreen, Syria, from Kurdish roots. He worked construction jobs at night to pay his way through college. He married his college sweetheart, and they built a family together.

Their lives changed when a missile filled with 116 small bombs, needles and shrapnel ripped through Hamo's Syrian compound on April 6, 2013, and his wife and daughter, who were on the top floor of the compound when a second missile landed, were killed. In total, 16 people were killed, seven of which were his family members.

"A little while after we lost everything, we left for Turkey, where I hoped to get treatment for my illness and continue work on my inventions," Hamo said in a statement.

Obamas invite Syrian refugee to State of the Union Address

When Hamo fled to Turkey, he couldn’t make a living without a residence permit and was diagnosed with stomach cancer. He also couldn't receive treatment without insurance or health benefits. After two years in Turkey, he received refugee status to move to Troy and his story was featured on the website Humans of New York, where he received an outpouring of support and sympathy — including from Obama.

Humans of New York, a blog founded by Brandon Stanton that features strangers in New York, shared the story of the then-unnamed man, who said he worked as a scientist in Syria. Stanton recently embarked upon the new series "The Syrian Americans" to highlight the voices of refugees.

Hamo's story on the blog came as governors across the nation, including Gov. Rick Snyder, were expressing concern about efforts to relocate Syrian refugees into their states until protocols could be reviewed following November terrorist attacks in Paris.

"As a husband and a father, I cannot even begin to imagine the loss you've endured," Obama said, on the Humans of New York Facebook post. "You and your family are an inspiration. I know that the great people of Michigan will embrace you with the compassion and support you deserve. Yes, you can still make a difference in the world, and we're proud that you'll pursue your dreams here. Welcome to your new home. You're part of what makes America great."

Actor and filmmaker Edward Norton — who starred in "Fight Club" and in "American History X" — said he was moved to tears by the tale of the man known as "The Scientist" and raised more than $400,000 for the family.

Edward Norton raises $350K for Troy-bound Syrian family

"This man has suffered profound loss that would crush the spirit of many people and yet he still passionately wants a chance to contribute positively to the world," Norton wrote on the Crowdrise fund-raiser site. "If we don’t welcome people like this into our communities and empower his dream of making an impact with his life, then we’re not the country we tell ourselves we are. Let’s reject the 'anti-human’ voices that tell us to fear refugees and show this man and his family what Americans are really made of. Let’s show that a country built by the energy and dreams of immigrants still believes in brave people who come here with hope for a better life."

At a news conference in December, Hamo told the Free Press that moving to Michigan was a chance for him to make a difference in the world and a chance for him to feel alive again.

"I would like to grab any opportunity I can to prove I am a human being, and if I don’t have that opportunity, I refuse to live anywhere I don’t feel like a human," Hamo said via a translator. "If they will only call me (a) refugee and they will treat me only as a refugee, I don’t want to be here. I'd rather go back. I want to be a good citizen here."

The White House said Sunday that the individuals chosen to be seated with the first lady represent the progress the country has made.

In addition to Hamo, several other guests were announced, including ​Jim Obergefell of Cincinnati, who was the named plaintiff in the landmark marriage-equality case Obergefell v. Hodges, which ruled same-sex couples nationwide have the constitutional right to marry. The case also involved Hazel Park nurses April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse. A seat to recognize victims of gun violence "who no longer have a voice" will be left empty, according to the White House, in an effort to tell their stories and honor their memory.

Contact Katrease Stafford: kstafford@freepress.com or 313-223-4759.