'I Feel Terrible': Hear Obama Apologize For Disrupting Brick Native's Wedding

(A photo by Keao’s Photography shows Natalie Heimel and Brick native Ed Mallue Jr. listening to President Barack Obama, who called to apologize after their wedding had to be moved from its planned spot on the 16th tee at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Photo: AP)

When Ed Mallue Jr. and his wife Natalie Heimel planned their wedding in Hawaii, the U.S. Army captains -- like most couples -- invited relatives and close friends to be part of their special day.

They never anticipated the guest who showed up unannounced -- or whose presence caused them to have to move the location of their wedding a little bit.

According to a report in the Asbury Park Press, Mallue, a Brick Township native, and Heimel were scheduled to be married on the 16th tee at the golf course on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, a spot with a terrific ocean-and-mountain view. But they were forced to move the site slightly because President Barack Obama was playing golf with friends at the course.

The couple ended up moving to a plateau above the course that not only had a great view of the ocean but overlooked the course where Obama was playing.

Obama called the couple to apologize for the disruption.

“Listen. Congratulations on your wedding. I feel terrible. Nobody told us,” Obama told them.

Typically, when Obama is involved in recreational activities like golf or hiking, the events are considered “unofficial” and not announced beforehand on his public schedule. Keeping the events a secret until they take place allows the Secret Service to minimize the costs and disruption involved in securing a location for Obama’s arrival, but it also makes it harder for the public to anticipate when a presidential visit might throw a wrench in their plans.

In this case, the White House didn’t know in advance that the couple was being told they had to relocate, said a person familiar with the chain of events, who wasn’t authorized to be identified publicly and requested anonymity. The White House declined to comment on the record.

“We would have skipped the 16th hole,” Obama said.

“Thank you very much,” said Mallue, a 2003 graduate of Brick Memorial and two-time Ocean County soccer player of the year for the Mustangs, who went on to play soccer for the Cadets while he attended West Point. “It was a blessing in disguise.”

Heimel, the bride, told the president: “We just went right above the 16th hole. So we were watching you golf.”

Replied Obama: “That must have been kind of painful.”

The couple then invited Obama to their reception. Fearing he might cause another wedding mishap, the president respectfully declined.

“Congratulations and thank you both for your service,” Obama added at the end of the call.

See the video posted by Bigz811 on YouTube here.

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