Romney Reveals Meeting Glen Doherty

While sharing a series of personal stories at a family farm on Tuesday, Mitt Romney said he met Glen Doherty by chance a few years ago.

Romney said he received an invitation to a neighborhood Christmas party in San Diego and didn't plan to attend until he saw what he thought was the party across the street from his vacation home, according to The Boston Globe. Although it ended up being the wrong house being Doherty's family gathering, Romney said he and his wife were welcomed to dinner.

Romney was speaking in Van Meter, Iowa, as he recalled sharing conversations about skiing and the Middle East with Doherty.

He said he was touched when he realized Doherty was among the four Americans killed in Libya on Sept. 11 because he found the former Navy SEAL to be impressive, according to The Boston Globe.

Romney did not know it was the same man he met who was killed in Libya until a neighbor contacted him a few days ago, according to the Huffington Post. The campaign said Romney met Doherty in 2009 or 2010.

Doherty, 42, was working as a private security contractor guarding U.S. Ambassador to Libya John Christopher Stevens when he was killed along with Stevens and two other Americans during an attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi.

He resided near San Diego, CA, but his family remains in Woburn near his hometown of Winchester where he graduated in 1988.

The Winchester community lined the streets honoring Doherty and his family before the funeral mass at the St. Eulalia's Church on Sept. 19.

Check Winchester Patch's coverage of Doherty below:

• Winchester Native Killed in Libya Attack
• Libya Attack Victim's Family Asks for Privacy
• Community Mourns Glen Doherty
• Funeral Set for Glen Doherty
• Flags Line Streets Near Doherty's Mom
• PHOTOS: Winchester Honors Glen Doherty
• Glen Doherty's Family Thanks Winchester
• Glen Doherty's Mom Says ‘It’s Sad’ Son's Death Politicized