Today: President Obama greets Sergeant First Class Cory Remsburg, alongside his father Craig, during a visit to Remsburg’s new home in Gilbert, Arizona (Photo by Doug Mills)
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Washington Post (2013): They were introduced near Omaha Beach in France in 2009, when Sergeant Remsburg was part of a select Army Ranger group chosen to re-enact a parachute drop for celebrations of the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings in World War II.
Four months later, on Oct. 1 2009, Sergeant Remsburg was face down in a canal near Kandahar, thrown by the force of a quarter-ton roadside bomb, shrapnel penetrating his brain and right eye. He spent the next three months in a coma, through operations at military hospitals in Afghanistan, Germany and Bethesda, Md., outside Washington. Through the winter of 2010, he was at a veterans’ hospital in Tampa, Fla., where he slowly regained consciousness. In April 2010, he returned to Bethesda for surgery to rebuild his skull.
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Their second meeting came less than a year later at a military hospital outside Washington, where Mr. Obama was stunned to see among the wounded troops from Afghanistan a familiar young man — now brain-damaged, a track of fresh stitches across his skull, and partly paralyzed…..
…. the President came for his annual physical and to visit patients. Entering a hospital room, he saw a photo on the wall — of himself and Sergeant Remsburg in Normandy — and did a double take, looking at the broken man lying there, and again at the strapping soldier in the frame.
“Cory still couldn’t speak, but he looked me in the eye,” the president said later. “He lifted his arm, and he shook my hand firmly. And when I asked how he was feeling, he held up his hand, pulled his fingers together and gave a thumbs up.”
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The third meeting was in a private visit in Phoenix, where Sergeant Remsburg did something that neither Mr. Obama nor military doctors would once have predicted: he stood up and saluted his commander in chief.
There was more. Grasping his walker, “Cory took a step, then another, and then another,” Mr. Obama said later, “all the way across the room.”
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In 2014, Sgt Remsburg was a guest of the President at the State of the Union
“I first met Cory Remsburg, a proud Army Ranger, at Omaha Beach on the 65th anniversary of D-Day. Along with some of his fellow Rangers, he walked me through the program – a strong, impressive young man, with an easy manner, sharp as a tack. We joked around, and took pictures, and I told him to stay in touch.
A few months later, on his tenth deployment, Cory was nearly killed by a massive roadside bomb in Afghanistan. His comrades found him in a canal, face down, underwater, shrapnel in his brain.
For months, he lay in a coma. The next time I met him, in the hospital, he couldn’t speak; he could barely move. Over the years, he’s endured dozens of surgeries and procedures, and hours of grueling rehab every day.
Even now, Cory is still blind in one eye. He still struggles on his left side. But slowly, steadily, with the support of caregivers like his dad Craig, and the community around him, Cory has grown stronger. Day by day, he’s learned to speak again and stand again and walk again – and he’s working toward the day when he can serve his country again.
“My recovery has not been easy,” he says. “Nothing in life that’s worth anything is easy.”
Cory is here tonight. And like the Army he loves, like the America he serves, Sergeant First Class Cory Remsburg never gives up, and he does not quit.”
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Today
AZCentral: An ongoing physical recovery, a new home custom-made for his needs – the only other thing that would really make Cory Remsburg’s day was a visit from the president.
That’s just what happened Friday afternoon … which brought the sixth meeting between the former soldier and the commander-in-chief.
After a visit to Phoenix’s VA hospital, President Obama’s motorcade took an unscheduled detour, heading toward Gilbert and pulling up in front of Remsburg’s newly remodeled home.
… As the motorcade pulled out of Gilbert, Remsburg said the visit was “Completely unexpected,” and “very cool.”
“I’m just a sergeant first class,” he said. “I’m no big deal. He’s the commander-in-chief. He’s a very big deal.”
More here
The home came to Remsburg from Homes for Wounded Warriors, the charity started by NFL player Jared Allen. The organization aims to remodel homes for the most severely disabled veterans who served in Afghanistan and Iraq. (More here)
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President Obama visits with Sgt. 1st Class Cory Remsburg and family members at his newly finished home in Gilbert, Arizona, March 13, 2025 (Photo by Pete Souza)
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White House.gov
What?
:shock: :shock: It was a new post!
Hiya vc
:) Am still in shock - was bumming around on twitter.
Hi, Alma-B.
:-) Afternoon/evening VC, hiya everyone.
Hello, math twin! :)
Congrats oh quiet one!! :)
Chips, this is a gorgeous, love-filled post. Thank you!!!!!!
:)
Ah, thank you {{{Bob}}} - what an emotional journey, it’s a pity the war-mongers weren’t as familiar with the cost of war as PBO is after his efforts to ensure he sees it through men like Cory Remsburg.
It’s a great reminder that our Commander-in-Chief knows intimately, the cost of war. I am so glad he is at the helm. I feel so safe.
So true, dear Chips!
Look who’s on First, congrats ole girl :-)
‘ole girl’?
You’re suppose to say “thank you” :D :D :D
You and Amk are really twins! You both seem to have these prescribed responses, when I’m always trying to steer clear from prescriptions. :D
Quack, Quack, Quack :D
ROFL <3
#ahemyoustillowemeforthatsmiley
Different take on the grandbabe when she is called little girl - “I’m a big girl now” age 2 1/2
congrats vc
:) :) Give her a couple more decades and she’ll be back to ‘What do you mean I’m a big girl? I’m just a kid.’ TY
Don’t act surprised…..act like you’ve been there :cool:
I was on twitter nosing around so I was shocked enough to stare at the link for a bit. :grin:
How art thou?
In a great mood….been watching NCAA conference tournament games all week…Auburn has done the impossible by winning 3 games in 3 straight nights, but plays the #1 team in the nation (Kentucky) tommorow in the SEC tournament semis….Downtown Indy is in current preparations for March Madness and the final four (got tickets for the April 4th session)…can’t wait!
:grin: :grin: Happy to hear you are happy but next time do try to speak only in English.
I’ll try French next time :lol:
:) :)
VC, this gold medal is all yours! Congrats.
Congrats on first VC!
Merci.
Congrats on 1st, VC! Wear it proudly!
:) TY
Ready for a weekend, VC?
Very. And I also have next week off; wooooweeee!
Good for you. Hope you enjoy every minute of it!
TY. That’s the plan. :)
What indeed! :-D
^5, Ms Busy Bee!
It’s an inspiring relationship.
Thanks Chips.
A pleasure COS, thank you.
Couldn’t resist …..
BTW - 278,554 @ 904p EDT …. How about a big TOD push to get it to 500K by Monday evening, 16 March!!!
Great tweet Bobfr. That is the silver lining I have long seen in the Bibi stunt. Just as the Iran letter served to expose the traitorous behavior of the GOP to the general American public, these GOP stunts and the resulting blow back have been a pleasure to behold. Immediate karma is a rare occurrence and should be savored. Blinded by racist hate (it honestly seems most of these stunts were thought up during all night drinking sessions at the KKK lodge) and existing in the FoxNews bubble of bullshit and deceit, the GOP continues to make politically tone deaf moves. Just as Romney and his supporters erroneously thought the country was racist enough to elect a compulsive lying empty suit who refused to release his tax returns just to unseat the Black president, the GOP erroneously thought the country was racist enough to embrace their openly traitorous behavior just to spite the Black president. Group think, preaching to the choir to the exclusion of everyone else and the need to satisfy the racist base has rendered the GOP incapable of governing. After the sting of the midterm defeat, this is the best any democrat could have hoped.
Hopefully there are enough Democrats with spine and smarts to make the most of it. They’re still fighting an uphill battle against a corporate-owned media.
” Group think, preaching to the choir to the exclusion of everyone else and the need to satisfy the racist base has rendered the GOP incapable of governing. ”
Could not agree with you more, Eric.
Now, we just need to get folk to VOTE!!!!!
:) PBO inherited the knee-jerk support and I think would have found it extremely divisive to slacken the rope, so it’s good that Bibi has been pushing his luck so blatantly.
Yep.
I think that’s a great idea Bob! Come on TOD & you too Lukers, if you haven’t done so, please go sign the Petition. YES. WE. CAN!
Yes We Can
AMK tried to leave us with his dumb math riddles….well riddle me this :D :D :D
From the link…
//……………
Last month, another bride in Uttar Pradesh married a wedding guest after the original groom had a seizure and collapsed at the wedding venue.
The groom’s family had not revealed that the groom was epileptic. While the groom was rushed to a hospital in Rampur town, the bride asked one of the wedding guests to step in and married him.
……………..//
you blew it, didn’t ya?
I figured it was your daughter unit trying to elope on you…. we all know she is the brains of the outfit :cool:
coolest dad of the year - 25 years running. 8-)
I thought 15 + 6 = 3000…
FOR THE WIN, TOTALLY …………
Bob, these are great tweets that you find. Thank you!
Thank you Gail :)
I do like this find, Bfr! It ties in nicely with a thought I had earlier today, that it’s time we get behind the idea that GOP hates *US* [country as well as citizens].
This is a really beautiful post, Chips! Thanks for putting it together….I bookmarked this for any time I need to be uplifted.
Thank you LP!!
I’ve just signed on and also want to add my thanks. 6 six, 6 encounters. I hope the friendship remains for their lifetime. A beautiful story that reminds us of POTUS’s empathy, compassion, and steadiness in everything he does.
Thank you No Child, you summed it up beautifully.
Good Evening TODVille!
Yeap. They are around still, mingling with “regular folks” all the while being completely wackos.
And more from the wacko…
What a good one Jackie O!
Thanks. I noticed after it posted that others picked right up on it, too. I’d like to be there when this “Christian radio host” meets up with God one fine day, and God’s speaking Spanish.
Chips, once again, I marvel at your skills to weave a story so well. I had two other words in my head, but I refused to type them for fear of mis-reading on your part AGAIN :D
:lol: You made me snort - loudly!!! Thank you {{{GGail}}}
You are my Special BLOGGER <3
OMG!1!1!
GARYT.
What are you doing awake so early???
It’s 7.30 am. Now, define early.
Damn
yup. also. too. India currently playing Zimbabwe today.
So, it’s gonna be one of those days.
I think I’ll turn in early, cuz you’re gonna be going through a million different personality changes…in…5…4…3…2…1 :shock:
#missionaccomplished
#I_you
OH NO YOU DIDN’T!!!
Chips!!!! You manipulated my word - you!!! YOU! YOUUUUUU!!!!!!
Put it back - NOW!
Oh ……. okay.
Alll right, all right, I can’t resist that look. Thank you for changing it back and yes, I still love you, but you sure do tax me woman!
I was just checking that you were awake - you passed the test :cool:
You and amk and these damn tests! Grrrrrrrrr!
Good evening TOD. Can anyone tell me if there has been any discussions by the infotainers either on cable or network news about Netanyahu’s situation in the election next week or will it all come as a big surprise to them?
What a totally heart-warming story. That father is feeling both the burden of aching for his son … and the power of love, all around them.
Thank you, President Obama, for never letting ANY of us, rich or poor, sick or well, old or young, forget about HOPE. God bless Cory.
THIS. Beautifully said. My heart goes out to them and their courageous strength.
Thank you. Can you imagine having President Obama on your side, as you recover from such injuries? As Cory himself said, this is a big deal. (Or as our Joe would say … well, you know the rest!)
couple of random tweets…
Auburn Grad. Tim Cook:
Will never get over the fact this is Justice Ginsburg & not Lauren Bacall
Lovelyplains, what a beautiful picture of Justice Ginsburg! Thank you for posting it.
one is a hawtie, the other is bacall.
THIS is a very touching story - thanks, Ms Chips for bringing it to our attention! Cory is making progress and has a home modeled to his needs, and we have a president who truly lives out his commitment to those for whom he is CiC.
https://twitter.com/TomBales1/status/576556853284368384
https://twitter.com/TomBales1/status/576556853284368384
poignant.
Robert Reich says the next Dem president should nominate Obama for the Supreme Court:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026361997
Yes, of course, he’d be one of the best … but I’d rather see President Obama out and about, rather than “stuck” in the hallowed chambers of the U.S. Supreme Court!
x 100%, JO’B
He’d made a fabulous Chief Justice. He’d also make a fabulous UN Secretary General. But it’s not possible. Indeed, Barack Obama will continue to be very active. A prominent and influential person all around the world. I don’t know if he plans to rest and just do some writing and teaching. But the world will still need him as a leader. I don’t think he will have a choice. He will continue to “community-organize” the world.
What a lovely, lovely thought!
wouldn’t wish such a thing on my worse enemy. Could you imagine working along side that snake Alito or Roberts?
Go Serena at Indian Wells 2015! Fight Like a Girl!
The President’s Arrival Andrews: http://www.cbsnews.com/liveFeed/widget.shtml
I looooooooove your ‘Watch Now’ pic, BFF!!! :-)
CChica, ONE guess who clicked on the ‘Watch Now’ button!
WOOT! Our ATC (air traffic controller) JER is on the case, thank you! It’s nice to know PBOs home safe & sound. You do GOOD work JER. You can take the rest of the night off :-)
Thank you very much everybody.
who is up for another
mathnumbers quiz?Today, a 16 year old boy from our town was struck by an oncoming train and killed on his way to school. He was the friend of the son of dear friends of ours. All of his schoolmates are devastated and trying to cope with the loss. Because fast moving freight trains run right through the downtown streets and in residential areas, train accidents occur frequently. All of the accidents are heartbreaking. This one especially so.
Oh Jackie, what a soul-destroying tragedy, just 16 years old. The idea of fast moving trains running through downtown streets and residential areas just seems utterly insane, but I assume the cost of detouring them means it’s unlikely to change. What a complete horror.
O, no!
A miniature dachshund from Ohio has lost more than 75% of his body weight after being put on a diet-and-fitness regime by his new owner.
Brooke Burton adopted him two years ago from a relative who fed the dog nothing but junk food.
Dennis is now 12lb (5kg) after weighing 56lb - almost five time the size of a normal dog of his breed.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-31863645
“In the beginning, you could tell he was very depressed, that he really didn’t feel good at all,” Ms Burton, a nursing student, told the Associated Press.
“He didn’t have much of a personality. After he lost weight, this bossy little demanding man popped out. He’s into everything; he wants to play with everybody.”
Maybe she should have had his ears trimmed too when he had the body surgery?
hullo, it’s a dachshund !!!
The ears still look way out of proportion in the second pic, whereas it’s dachshund-y in the first
pick, pick, pick.
right, right, right.
It just dawned on me
Cory lives in Arizona
McCain territory
Yet, it’s PBO who is there greeting Cory
Hello? McCain?
Have you ever seen McCain greet any citizen, except at election time or when he’s yelling at them during hearings?
Oh Sen McCain, you just got upstaged by President Barack Obama on YOUR own turf!
Hi JER, I’m watching the CBS webcam link but can’t tell if POTUS already landed at JBA?
He arrived already. He surely is home by now.
Good deal! thanks!
New post.
http://theobamadiary.com/2015/03/13/you-say-friday-i-say-laughter/
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry, on this one.
This is why I love my President.
Chips, this post is one for the ages.
With Tears of joy streaming down my cheeks. I am so appreciative of this post.
What a catalog and illustration of two fine men…….POTUS, the CIC and his Soldier. Truly an unbeatable post. Thank you, Lady Chips.