Obama Snubs Nation's Heros

[chefdennis]

I bet this makes the left Proud....


Obama Snubs Nation's Heroes, Becomes the First President to Skip Ball Honoring Medal of Honor Recipients in Over 50 Years

Obama Snubs Nation's Heroes, Becomes the First President to Skip Ball Honoring Medal of Honor Recipients in Over 50 Years | Cleveland Leader

Obama Snubs Nation's Heroes, Becomes the First President to Skip Ball Honoring Medal of Honor Recipients in Over 50 Years
Submitted by Julie on January 21, 2009 - 10:13pm. Elections Elections 2008 News Politics U.S. Government U.S. Politics World Politics
Barack Obama may have stumbled over his words briefly during his inauguration, but he made an even bigger blunder later Tuesday evening. The newly sworn-in President opted not to appear at what should have been one of the most important Balls on his agenda that evening - The Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball.

The Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball was begun in 1953 for President Dwight Eisenhower's inauguration. The event recognized recipients of the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military award. There were 48 Medal of Honor recipients in attendance, who were undoubtedly disappointed by the Commander-in-Chief's failure to show. Over the past 56 years and 14 inaugurations, no President has skipped this event - until now.

The Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball is sponsored by the American Legion, and co-sponsored by 13 other veteran's service organizations, including those such as the Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

Instead of attending this ball honoring our nation's heroes, Obama was busy making stops at 10 other official balls. Obama and his wife's first stop was at the Neighborhood Ball. From there they went to the Home State Ball for Illinois and Hawaii, the Commander-in-Chief Ball, the Youth Inaugural Ball, and the Home State Ball for Delaware and Pennsylvania. They finished off the night with brief appearances at the Mid-Atlantic, Western, Midwest, Eastern, and Southern regional Balls.

Celebrities were a plenty at the balls, with Stevie Wonder, Shakira, Mary. J. Blige, Faith Hill, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Adam Levine, will.i.am, Sting, Mariah Carey, and Leonardo DiCaprio in attendance at the Neighborhood Ball. In addition, the other nine balls also featured a star-studded lineup including Kanye West and Kid Rock at the Youth Ball, Marc Anthony at the Western Ball, and Cheryl Crow at the Western Ball.

It was the party without all of the celebrities that Obama skipped. The very people who he sought to have support him during his candidacy and campaign, who have fought to protect this country, were snubbed in favor of publicity and the opportunity to rub shoulders - yet again - with the out-of-touch Hollywood elite.

[OntarioVanMan]

Well ain't that a kick in the head!!

BTW...Paralyzed Veterans of America is a great organization...it is my charity of choice and one I support whenever I have a few extra dollars in the kitty....not bad for a Canuck eh?

[Turtle]

That article is a stellar example of really bad journalism. The very first line is a misrepresentation of the truth, and it goes downhill fast with the "reporter's" agenda in tow. The "Cleveland Dealer" isn't even a new organization, it's a Blog.
A Bloooooggggg.

Fact is, Obama wasn't even scheduled to be at the Salute to Heroes Ball this time, nor were they expecting him to be there. He didn't "snub" anybody. The Presidential Inauguration Committee had 10 official Balls on the schedule, and the Salute to Heroes Ball wasn't one of them, so it shouldn't come as a shock to anyone that he didn't show up there.

The 10 official Balls that the President was scheduled to attend:

_ Neighborhood Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center. _ Obama Home States (Illinois and Hawaii) Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.
_ Commander in Chief’s Ball at the National Building Museum.
_ Youth Inaugural Ball at the Washington Hilton.
_ Biden Home States (Pennsylvania and Delaware) Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.
_ Mid-Atlantic Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.
_ Western Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.
_ Midwest Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.
_ Southern Inaugural Ball at the National Guard Armory. _ Eastern Inaugural Ball at Union Station.

He attended all of the official Balls, though his appearances at the final five were very brief.


The major unofficial Balls included, none of which Obama attended:

_ Congressional Black Caucus Inaugural Ball at the Capitol Hilton.
_ Creative Coalition Inaugural Ball at the Harman Center for the Arts.
_ Recording Industry Association of America’s ball for Feeding America.
_ BET’s Inaugural Ball at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.
_ Africa on the Potomac inaugural celebration at Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va.
_ American Music Inaugural Ball at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.
_ Inaugural Purple Ball at the Fairmont Hotel.
_ Human Rights Campaign’s Equality Ball at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel.
_ Inaugural Peace Ball at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum.
_ Impact Film Fund ball.


If Julie, the eteemed reporter from the Cleveland Dealer, and all those Bloggerific Web sites that rarely let facts get in the way of a good Blogger knee-jerk reaction, had bothered to watch the Inaugural, they would have seen that seated right down front near to the podium were 38 members of the Congressional Medal of Honor who could attend Washington this year. Obama gestured to them on more than one occasion during his time on the Capitol Steps podium. Seated next to the Congressional Medal of Honor recipients were the surviving members of the 332nd Fighter Group, the Tuskegee Airmen.

In his speech Obama specifically singled out the military as a noble example of our heroes both past and present, and to what they fought and died for, and why all of need to be a little more like them.

"As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment — a moment that will define a generation — it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all."


While attending the Commander in Chief’s Ball at the National Building Museum, he met with several Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, as well as other former and current members of the military. He also talked via satellite to the troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. The First Couple split on the dance floor, with the First Lady dancing with Marine Sergeant Elidio Guillen of Madera, California while the President had as a dance partner Army Sergeant Margaret H. Herrera of San Antonio, Texas.



Sergeant Herrera was deployed to Kuwait in 2004 and was on the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee to help coordinate military involvement at the events. She works in Washington and recently took dance lessons, not knowing she’d be chosen to dance with Obama. It turns out, those lessons paid off.

And is the president a good dancer?

"Well, he’s my boss now so I am going to say yes," she said. Smart girl.

[miker]

Well said Turtle, it's nice to see someone posting some truth about the new President instead of being so quick to bash his every move. Those who feel they can do better are free to run for office in 2012.

[chefdennis]

Yes he did go to the Commanders Ball, this was the Ball Honoring Medal of Honor Recipients, one the President Bush found his way to, both times, in 2005 making it his 1st stop.

And i have to ask, while I know blogs are the MSM, are you saying the article is false??

And I don't care if it isn't on the "Offical Ball List or not, this is the 1st time a new president hasn't been to THIS BALL in years...something like 14 inaugurals..., I guess those previous Presidents must of though that the American Legion and other sponors of this ball for Heros was important, at least more important then this pos... Oh, and as far as an "agenda", you bet...


President Thanks Veterans For Service During Inaugural Ball

Jan. 21, 2005

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/news....aspx?id=24307
By Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample, USA
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21, 2005 – President Bush and first lady Laura Bush were greeted with resounding cheers as they made the first stop of their whirlwind tour of inaugural galas Jan. 20 at the Capital Hilton here.

Kenneth Stumpf, an Army squad leader in Vietnam who was awarded the Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart, pledges allegiance to the flag at the "Salute to Heroes" inaugural ball at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20. Stumpf said the Medal of Honor belongs to all of those in his squad. "I did not earn this (medal) alone," he said. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Doug Sample, USA
(Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

At the "Salute to Heroes" inaugural ball, hundreds of veterans from across the country, along with their wives and families, greeted the president with a resounding show of support.

Vice President Richard Cheney and his wife, Lynne, stopped in later as they made their way through the inaugural circuit.

Kenneth Stumpf, one of many Medal of Honor recipients who squeezed through tight security inside the hotel to see the president, was particularly happy to be on hand. "I spent my entire life in the military, so whoever was the president, that was my commander-in-chief," he said. "It just so happens I really like this one."

The American Legion sponsors the ball, which recognizes recipients of Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military award. It started in 1953 for President Dwight D. Eisenhower's first inauguration.

Event co-sponsors include 13 other veterans service organizations, among them the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

With applause and cheers often interrupting his comments, the president used his brief appearance to thank veterans for their service.

"They have set a fantastic example for those who wear the uniform today," he said. "Our veterans who have served all across the world in the cause of freedom, they have done so in a selfless way and for that, this nation is eternally grateful."

The president also used the occasion to reiterate points made during his inaugural address, speaking on the importance of freedom and saying that United States will succeed in bringing democracy to Iraq.

"We believe in freedom, and we know that free societies will be peaceful societies," the president said.

He also said that by ending tyranny, such as that imposed in Iraq by Saddam Hussein, the United States "Will have fulfilled the obligations of our founding fathers who recognized that every man and woman on the face of the earth should be free."

With the Joints Chiefs of Staff seated on each side of the podium, the president acknowledged the difficulties being placed on the military. "We've asked hard things of our troops and the families of our troops," he said. But he noted the progress made in Afghanistan and Iraq.

"Think about what has happened in a very short period of time," he said. "The people of Afghanistan have been liberated by our troops and our friends the Afghans went to the polls by the millions for the first time in 5,000 years," he said. "Very shortly, because of the great work of our military, and the military of our friends, the people of Iraq will be voting. This is a major achievement, and it's a major milestone in the advance of liberty."

The president admitted that bringing liberty to Iraq "has not been easy," but "it's going to happen," he emphasized.

"And when it does, our military, and those of us who have been fortunate enough to be involved with our military, will be able to look back and say we did our duty, we did our duty for freedom, and we did our duty for generations of Americans to come."

Before leaving, the president again expressed thanks to the audience, telling those veterans who have served and those who are now serving, "I am incredibly proud to be your commander in chief."

Outside the ballroom, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston was enjoying the night's events and said the president's inaugural address and the theme of the "Salute to Heroes" ball gave recognition to the men and women who wear the uniform.

"Being an Army at war and supporting a nation at war," he said, "it's important that we recognize our heroes (and) that we pause for a moment and reflect on their courage, their sacrifice and their dedication. I very am proud of what the men and women of the armed forces are accomplishing, and what they stand for in this country."

[Moot]

And i have to ask, while I know blogs are the MSM, are you saying the article is false??

Turtle can really be a buzz killer man. Like he looks up the facts and just presents them with no hidden agenda. Its like super hard to get all whipped up over an article that doesn't distort facts, take quotes out of context and in general play fast and free with the truth. Totally bogus man, totally.

[mrgoodtude]

Yeah man like he really digs for the facts and puts it out there in gnarly Turtle fashion..
Bummer

[chefdennis]

The fact is, the man didn't go.....He must be an elitist in that he is better then the past presidents during the last 14 inaugurals who made it there....

[OntarioVanMan]

Chef..The American Legion doesn't seem to be upset? at least publicly...they must have been informed of this as they had all them other recipients at the other ball....?

Sheesh...if one President goes bowling on Inaugeration Day do they all have to bowl for those who follow??

I notice he also snubbed all 3 Black Balls....Now does that put him behind the 8 ball for that?*L*

[Scott101]

I notice he also snubbed all 3 Black Balls....Now does that put him behind the 8 ball for that?*L*

That was a good idea. It would have been pretty embarrassing if he was at the hip hop ball (or whichever ball it was) when Jay Z and young jeezy (or whatever his name is) let loose with the racial rants.

Obama really should publicly denounce their statements considering he has said he likes jay z.

[chefdennis]

Hey I posted the article to show the pos as he is. And yes I have an agenda. If you are ok with him, more power to you. As for the AM legion bein ok with it, my mom doesn't really care that i am a complete azz for the most part either, well as you said, at least not publicly!!

[OntarioVanMan]

Hey I posted the article to show the pos as he is. And yes I have an agenda. If you are ok with him, more power to you. As for the AM legion bein ok with it, my mom doesn't really care that i am a complete azz for the most part either, well as you said, at least not publicly!!

I didn't say I was ok with him....just pickin apart your agenda abit....

Its the Libra in me...I try to see both sides and balance the scales....its not my fault!...the stars made me do it....*L*

[Tennesseahawk]

Regardless if they were official or not, Obama made a choice. Needless to say, Clinton made a choice too... the morally correct one. Obama's gonna be a great one for breaking tradition. No surprise there.

[chefdennis]

LOL, see i am not looking to balance anything, i am not about Sharing the anything, yes i have an agenda, ill post as much negative as i can, and nothing positive, not that i look forward to anything psoitive from him to begin with.

And the "you" bein ok whith him, was meant in general, not at you personally...

[miker]

LOL, see i am not looking to balance anything, i am not about Sharing the anything, yes i have an agenda, ill post as much negative as i can, and nothing positive, not that i look forward to anything psoitive from him to begin with.

And the "you" bein ok whith him, was meant in general, not at you personally...

you do know that most insurance plans will cover Anger Management courses,right ??

it's ok to agree to disagree and then move on