Student meets Obama during housewarming for wounded soldier

Photo of Michelle Chance writer of this opinion
Michelle Chance
Mesa Legend

An MCC student had the opportunity to meet President Obama last month in Gilbert during a volunteer home remodeling project for injured veteran Cory Remsburg.  “My first indication that the president was nearby was the increased police presence in the neighborhood and the numerous black SUVs and gentlemen wearing suits and ear pieces gathered in a nearby parking lot,” said Tom Bulinski, the Urban Horticulture major who designed the landscaping for the remodeling project.  During Remsburg’s housewarming party on March 13, Bulinski had a feeling that Obama might stop by after his visit to the Phoenix VA hospital earlier that afternoon.  “I knew of Cory’s special relationship with the president.  They had met five times before the meeting at Cory’s house in March,” said Bulinski. “Once I saw on the news that the president was going to be at the Phoenix VA, I knew at some point that day he would come and see Cory.”  Bulinski’s hunch was right.

veteran and president together
Above: Cory Remsburg, who was injured by an IED in Afghanistan in 2009, poses with President Obama at his new home in March. Below: Riders with Ride 430 line the driveway with American flags as media and other community members await Remsburg’s arrival.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF TOM BULINSKI

Once the President arrived, he spent about 30 minutes with Remsburg and his family touring the newly remodeled home, according to Bulinski. Meanwhile, the guests outside were checked with metal detectors and proper security protocol was conducted, he added.  After the guests had been cleared, Bulinski said Obama came outside to the backyard lawn and gave a short speech.  “He talked about Cory’s fight to recover after being injured in a roadside bomb in Afghanistan in 2009, and he also talked about how proud he was of everyone involved in the community who helped create a home that would further help Cory in his recovery,” Bulinski said.  Remsburg showed appreciation to the president for attending his housewarming event, according to Bulinski.

“Cory is one of the most humble guys I have ever met,” Bulinski said.  “He was extremely grateful that the president would make a special appearance and was as starstruck as anyone in attendance.”  After Obama finished his speech, Bulinski said the president mingled with the guests, shaking their hands and taking pictures with them.  “I was able to shake his hand and tell him my involvement in the project,” he said.   Bulinski originally got involved with the project months ago with the help of his brother.  The project was a collaboration between Army Rangers Lead the Way Fund and Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors, an organization which remodels handicap-accessible homes for returning injured veterans.

flag waving well wishers in front of veteran's house“My older brother is in the Army and he is the one that turned me on to the project,” he said. “One of his former bosses in the military was the general contractor for the project.”  “My brother told him that I was going to MCC for landscape design and that I would be willing to help/volunteer in any way possible on the project,” Bulinski said.  It was his responsibility to come up with a landscape design and have it approved by Remsburg, according to Bulinski.  “I worked with Cory’s dad, Craig, initially and then met with Cory to get final approval,” he said.  Once the plan was approved, Bulinski said that he worked with a few nurseries to line up donations for the project.   Through school, Bulinski said he was introduced to Niko Vlachos, owner of V and P Nurseries in Queen Creek.  “He was extremely generous and I was grateful for him taking time out of his busy schedule during peak season to not only donate trees and plants but also to deliver them to the job site,” Bulinski said.

Tom Bulinski
MCC Student Tom Bulinski (pictured above) met President Obama during a housewarming celebration for Army Sgt. First Class Cory Remsburg.
TANIA RITKO / Mesa Legend

“I also worked with Treeland Nursery to complete the few items that V and P was not able to provide,” he added.  “I have met Cory on a few occasions over the past few months working on the project.  Cory is a remarkable man, he was once bound by a wheelchair but through hours of hard work and dedication, is learning to walk again,” Bulinski said.  Looking forward, Bulinski said he plans on having a landscape nursery and design business in the future and working on more wounded warrior remodeling projects.  “I hope to help contribute again in the future and would like to continue to show my support and appreciation to the service men and women of our great military,” he said.

For more information and volunteer opportunities please visit: http://www.homesforwoundedwarriors.com/   

  • Mesa Legend Staff

    These are archived stories from Mesa Legend editions before Fall 2018. See article for corresponding author.

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