Retired ranger Cory Remsburg was struck by an IED during his 10th deployment and suffered a traumatic brain injury.
GILBERT, Ariz. – A Valley veteran is in contention for gold!
Retired Army Ranger Cory Remsburg, who lives in Gilbert, competes in the Warrior Games in Florida, a Paralympic-style competition for injured veterans.
“A few years ago Cory won three bronze medals in rowing and indoor cycling,” said his father, Craig Remsburg.
This time, Cory said he was going for the gold. Having the military in his blood will come in handy for the upcoming competition, he said.
“I come from a long history of military service, so after high school I thought I’d jump on the bandwagon,” Cory said.
“I served, both grandparents served, many parents served, so Cory made that decision,” Craig said.
Cory served in Iraq and Afghanistan. During his 10th deployment in 2009, he was struck by an IED which caused him several injuries, including head trauma. But that doesn’t stop him from achieving his goals.
“Because he’s blind in his right eye and paralyzed in his left arm, they had to make him a harness,” Craig said. It refers to the specialty bow and arrow Cory is training with to compete in the Warrior Games this summer.
“He’s trying out two new events that he hasn’t done yet: archery and swimming.”
The Warrior Games are a series of competitions in Florida between hundreds of injured veterans to show their resilience and athleticism despite physical setbacks. The hope is that it might even help their recovery.
Cory has just returned from a trip to Tampa to qualify.
“Cory’s been in four different activities and we’ll probably know in mid-April the team selection and so on and we’re excited about that,” Craig said.
Until games, Cory said he will practice every day, but he takes it slow and steady with archery.
The veteran has an indoor rower for daily practice, but for the sake of his neighbors, there is no archery target in the backyard.
“You always have to worry about the neighbours,” he said.
Thanks to the nonprofit Semper Fi & America’s Fund, Cory also monitors what he eats to improve his stamina.
“Semper Fi, the fund, is currently hosting a nutritional performance workshop that Cory and I are attending,” Craig said. “It’s a two month process and the idea is ‘you are what you eat’.”
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