Veteran's essay earns face time with Obama

By David Montero, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 15, 2008 at 7:53 p.m.
Updated August 15, 2008 at 7:53 p.m.

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Photo by Tim Hussin © The Rocky

John Volkmar, a CU grad student and an Iraq war veteran, is one of ten people selected from around the country to go backstage for Obama's speech at Invesco Field.

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When John Volkmar wrote his 100-word essay on Barack Obama's Web site a few weeks ago, he figured that would be the end of it.

Then, Wednesday, the former Army major got a call from the Obama campaign saying he had been selected as one of 10 people to go backstage and meet the presidential hopeful before his nomination speech at Invesco Field Aug. 28.

"I'm a little overwhelmed," Volkmar said today when the campaign made the official annoucement.

When the campaign announced in early July that Obama would give his acceptance speech at Invesco Field, the essay contest to win backstage passes was launched.

Volkmar wrote his short essay, donated a little money and didn't think much of it until he got a call a week ago. Obama officials interviewed him for about 40 minutes and then he got the follow-up call that he was chosen.

The 34-year-old graduate student at the University of Colorado at Boulder said he has been an Obama supporter since the beginning of the Illinois senator's candidacy.

But he hasn't always been a loyal Democrat.

In 2000, he voted for President Bush. He did the same in 2004. He said things have changed since then, however.

"We were applying a military solution to an economic problem," he said. "I was this blunt force instrument being used to hammer out something that should be dealt with very delicately."

In a statement, Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said the selections of Volkmar and the other nine winners are an acknowledgement that people like them are why the senator is where he's at now.

"Supporters are responsible for building this movement and for bringing this campaign so far — and Barack looks forward to sharing this moment with them," Plouffe said.

Volkmar said he will likely bring his wife, who is currently in Massachusetts with their daughter. He said he is also working on what he wants to say to Obama once he meets him backstage.

The obvious questions, based on Volkmar's experience, are about Iraq. Volkmar served two tours there — including a stint in Mosul — and spent just under 10 years in the military.

But he is also interested in discussing the U.S. Constitution with Obama — though he acknowledges he probably won't get the time to really chew on that topic.

"Maybe if I had an hour to chat with the man," he said.

Volkmar hopes to be involved in the renewable energy industry when he graduates in two years with an MBA.

Volkmar hasn't told many people about his winning the contest. He just started classes this week and doesn't really know his fellow students yet. However, he has told his mom — a John McCain supporter.

"She was appalled," he said with a laugh.

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