Pfc. Corey Kent, recovering from injuries at Walter Reed Hospital in Maryland, met President Barack Obama this week when he was awarded the Purple Heart by the president. “It was surreal,” said Dan Ashby, Kent’s stepfather. “It was a big honor for Corey to have the president give him his Purple Heart.” While the visit was formal at first, Ashby said it quickly became informal when talk turned to the NFL. “Corey is a Packers fan, and, of course, the President is a Bears fan,” Ashby said. “I’m a Bears fan, too. We were giving him some flack about the Packers.” Recovery for Kent has been slow, but steady, Ashby said. He received his first skin graph and has another scheduled this week. The skin graph procedures are crucial, Ashby said, because Kent’s body has to accept the graph. Both Ashby and Kent’s mother left their jobs to be with Corey at Walter Reed. He said they are splitting 12-hour shifts at Corey’s bedside. “We can always be here if he needs something,” Ashby sai.