Obama blows off Medal of Honor recipients [Jonn]

| January 21, 2009

According to TSO who was at the “Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball”, this newly sworn-in President for the first time in 56 years blew off the ball (that’s 14 Inaugurations).

Some background on the ball;

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.

So where was our new President instead of honoring Medal of Honor recipients who by some miracle are still alive? According to Huffington Post, this was his schedule for Inaugural celebrations;

Later that day, the Presidential Inaugural Committee will host 10 official inaugural balls:

_ Neighborhood Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

_ Obama Home States (Illinois and Hawaii) Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

_ Biden Home States (Pennsylvania and Delaware) Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

_ Midwest Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

_ Mid-Atlantic Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

_ Western Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

_ Commander in Chief’s Ball at the National Building Museum.

_ Southern Inaugural Ball at the National Guard Armory.

_ Eastern Inaugural Ball at Union Station.

_ Youth Inaugural Ball at the Washington Hilton.

Unofficial balls include:

_ 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.

Mr. Wolf from Blackfive sends along this link to which Inaugural Balls Obama actually attended last night.

Category: Politics

624 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Matt

(Spoken in nefarious Boris accent)”It is what the party does- we deny the story, we change the facts, we re-write history.”

trackback

[…] ** Barack Obama was the first President in 56 years to miss the “Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball”. […]

trackback

[…] class during this transition was totally wasted on the obamas) he has spit, again, at the honor of our fighting men, and, true to his reprogressive nature, he immediately begins making America less safe, moving […]

Sere Doc87

“richard wheeler Says:
January 21st, 2009 at 11:45 pm

Jonn and TSO Congrats on 123 posts and counting.It appears ODS has replaced BDS at TAH.What a bunch of sissified,crybaby,losers your bloggers are.Any real military man supports our Pres.as our oath requires us to do.Wheeler USMCR” You sir are a fool and a someone who doesn’t know JackSh!T. My oath, 32 years ago was to support and defend the constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. , and to follow orders of those appointed over me. The office has respect but the person occupying it has to earn it. But you like most kids are in a world devoid of reality. And your comment about “Any real military man supports our Pres.” qualifies you as a moron. USMCR more like UN pussy.

Fact Finder

As much as I want to belive the accusation….

Is this the correct ball?

http://www.stripes.com/articlephoto.asp?section=104&article=60160&photo=4&count=5

Jonn wrote: Um, for 9,000th time…No!

trackback

[…] Jan/22/09 – He attended quite a few as payback for the illegal campaign contributions, but I guess he did not have time for those that gave to their country, because afterall,  it is all about Obama.  Salute To Heroes Inaugural Ball, began by President […]

trackback

[…] Instead of issuing orders to protect the United States from jihadis, which happens to be the first duty listed in the Constitution, and part of the oath of office, he will issue orders to be nice to Islamic jihadis. Oh, and this is probably an attempt to make the world love us. Even though Obambi sure doesn’t like Medal Of Honor recipients, who he blew off. […]

trackback

[…] Instead of issuing orders to protect the United States from jihadis, which happens to be the first duty listed in the Constitution, and part of the oath of office, he will issue orders to be nice to Islamic jihadis. Oh, and this is probably an attempt to make the world love us. Even though Obambi sure doesn’t like Medal Of Honor recipients, who he blew off. […]

A thought

So if Obama had attended the CinC Ball and the Medal of Honor Ball then you would support him and recognize his appreciation for the military etc? However, if he only attends one of the two, he is not deserving of respect and does not resepct the military? Does that seem idiotic to anyone else? some I’m not saying he made the right choice, but to use this to judge his loyalty those serving in the military is weak. There is much stronger evidence to sway you one way or the other than this.

Claymore

Let’s be brutally honest here; the man didn’t show up to the MOH ball because it wasn’t as good a photo op as the others, plain and simple. It was clearly more intimate and didn’t draw near the number of ass kissing Hollywood types as the remainder of the parties he made a point of getting to. But here’s the punchline, I’m glad he made his disdain clear from the onset…at least now there’s no pretense. Carry on.

passing by

After all the crap that the American Legion leadership has said about Obama, the malicious slander about him that they’ve distributed in their emails and on their website (which I’m sure is mild compared to what they actually say about him), I find it laughable that anyone associated with the Legion would actually want him to show up.

Did you think that you could insult, malign and lie about him with no consequence at all?

Did none of you think that perhaps you might hurt your standing as an organization that represents veterans?

Evidently not.

Grinding Teeth in WV

I think this is only the beginning of the disgusting things we will be seeing from the new Prez.

Herkpilot

I think this blog was created by a gentleman who attended the event in it’s entirety so let’s give some credit to the firsthand witness of whether it actually occurred or not. Call the hotel if you must, the number is posted in this blog. A cornerstone of liberal ideaology seems to be an irrational emotional defense of their hero, regardless of their actions and I’m reading it here. That’s how Adolf Hitler rose to power and it’s dangerous. The comparison is not Obama-Hitler but rather our citizenry to 1935 Germany and the mindless adoration of someone who has never really accomplished anything but talks a great talk. To those who say he is the CinC and we should not be critical, guess again. First, not everyone posting here is in or has been in the military and second, read Article 88 of the UCMJ. Personally, I haven’t said anything contemptuous of Mr. Obama and I am an American first and foremost and entitled to the same rights as the Bush-bashers had when he was the president. There are two kinds of authority in the military, Constitutional and moral. One makes you do what is ordered based on your professionalism and adherance to your oath (or threats of confinement), reagrdless of the boneheaded orders or actions by your superior. The other is much tougher because it requires a relationship where subordinates know the superior and respect him/her as a leader. I think James Dobson said “Rules without relationships cause rebellion.” He was speaking of a family but I suggest it applies to any organization. And while there will never be an outright rebellion in our military, things like this oversight or intentional slight and repealing the ban on openly gay service members are troublesome simply because Mr. Obama has no relationship with the military. That translates into no moral authority yet. Generally, his comments on the campaign trail about the military were immature and while they may have helped get him elected he has to rise above them and maybe fire some of his staffers who have shown explicit contempt… Read more »

passing by

Of course, a little more searching reveals that the wingnut blogosphere is operating a few facts short of reality.

The American Legion sponsored the CIC ball this year which President Obama DID attend.

And guess what? The Medal of Honor winners WERE THERE. In fact, they lined up for a picture with the new president and you can actually see them in one of the pictures accompanying this article from Stars and Stripes.

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=60160

Think much?

Jonn wrote: And a little more searching (and some improved reading skills on your part) would have revealed that picture is from the C-i-C Ball. Think much?

passing by

And the Medal of Honor winner WERE AT THE CIC ball.

Jonn wrote: I can’t help you…read the comments. And stop being obtuse.

A thought

Herkpilot- You said “Generally, his comments on the campaign trail about the military were immature and while they may have helped get him elected he has to rise above them and maybe fire some of his staffers who have shown explicit contempt for us.”

Do you have any examples of this? I voted for Obama, but I don’t think he is the savior many (MSNBC) believe. Did his retention of Reboert Getes allay any of your fears? I don’t have much interaction with military servicemen or veterans so I’m interested in your perspective.

MARY JANE

To “Just A Grunt”: You say you are “being warned” in Georgia that you won’t be getting anything…..” blah blah blah. Who’s doing the warning? Rush Limbaugh, that traitorous madman who has gone on record on the radio that he’d rather see that United States essentially go down the tubes than see Obama’s plan to revitalize the United States succeed? Sarah Palin, aka “Caribou Barbie”, who just won’t go away with her stupid remarks about the real America? I’ll tell who it ISN’T: John McCain, the former Republican candidate for President, who is still the senior Senator from Arizona and a certified combat veteran. He has gone on record that he will do everything in his power to help Obama succeed, and reminds us all that he is OUR President. And by the way, pal, as a former Army officer’s wife and the daughter of an officer who served in WW II in Europe, and in the Korean Conflict IN KOREA, the President is YOUR Commander in Chief if you’re on active duty. You’d better watch your mouth, son.

passing by

The Medal of Honor winners were also honored by the Inaugural committee with seats for 40 of them just below the podium where Obama took the oath of office according to this story in the New York Daily News which interviewed some of them.

Among those seated below the podium were 40 Medal of Honor recipients, including Peter Lemon, who at 19 had shown superhuman courage, fighting on and on as his comrades fell around him, as he himself was repeatedly wounded in Vietnam.”

“This is the biggest thing that happened to me in my 58 years that’s positive!” Lemon declared of the inauguration.

Also present was Gary Wetzel, who had fought even after losing his left arm. He had finally lost consciousness, but when he awoke, he crawled through fire to aid a fellow crew member on his downed helicopter.

“In the White House by President Johnson,” he said when asked when he had received his medal.

Wetzel declared that we must all rally around his new President with much the same all-American spirit that he himself had shown that bloody day in Vietnam.

“He means business, and we’ve got to support him,” Wetzel said. “We’ve got to pull together.”

Next to the Medal of Honor recipients were the Tuskegee Airmen. Among them was Julius Freeman, now from Long Island, formerly of the 332nd Fighter Group.

“We had two Air Forces,” Freeman said. “A black Air Force and a white Air Force, and now we’re going to be one country.”

“Today you become an American!” the woman beside him said.

Up at the podium, 30 rows from their place of honor, Obama invoked the noble example of our heroes past and present.

“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,” Obama said. “It is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.”

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/01/20/2009-01-20_now_truly_we_are_one_country_our_deeply_.html

A thought

John, I think the point is that President Obama did attend an event which honors Medal of Honor recipients. I don’t think passing by was calling you a liar, but if they were, then obtuse is probably pretty accurate.
Were Medal of Honor recipients present at the CiC Ball in the past? If not, it seems to explain the President’s departure from tradition. If they usually attend the CiC Ball, then it is a departure from tradition but I still don’t see it as the slap in the face to the military that many here see it as since the President still did honor the recipients.

trackback

[…] Filed under: Military News, Moonbat, Political — Jason Jeffrey @ 10:02 am Straight from This Ain’t Hell Obama is the New […]

Eric Langdon

Dale

It will only be 4 years,thank God, but you girls can try again in 2016

trackback

[…] Change has already begun! According to TSO who was at the “Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball”, this newly sworn-in President for the first time in 56 years blew off the ball (that’s 14 Inaugurations). […]

T-Rex

What a load of paranoid crap. Obama spoke eloquently to the veterans at the CinC ball. Not good enough? Cry me a river, a lot of other people would have loved to see him at three or four different events of their own, and had to settle for one. I think the people working up a head of steam over this are the same ones who flogged the phoney rumor that Hillary Clinton refused to meet the Gold Star mothers. Look, guys, you had the President of your choice pursuing the policies of your choice for eight years and he led this country to ruin. Now it’s time for a different approach, and if you don’t like it you shouldn’t be living in a democracy.

Michelle

http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/8627

For those of you who can’t look it up. He did snub our heroes.

JOE NORMAN

Reading this thread of comments is illuminating….and frightening!

It is AMAZING the number of people who have an infusion pump main line drip of the obamanation kool-aid! It is incredible to see the cult-like idol worship of this guy! He truly can do no wrong in the eyes of these zombies! He could go on live national TV and rape a 7 year old girl and then cut her throat….and some of these people would find a way to rationalize it! These spongy headed mutants are dangerous people, and all freedom loving Americans need to begin NOW to plan and execute ways in which we can save our Republic.

Sic Semper Tyrannis

scribo

Yes, he can! And he did. He sent the ball’s organizers a letter of regret in response to their invitation a couple weeks before the ball. The American Legion replied with a letter signed by all the other major veterans organizations, explaining the significance and history of this ball. They made it clear that a snub would be a terrible insult to those have sacrificed so much for all our freedom. Well, now we know what he thought of that.

Raoul

T-Rex,

For over half a century, 14 inaugurals, those Presidents attended the C-i-C ball and this one.

So either “TheOne” isn’t as omnipotent as you clowns believe and he screwed up, or he snubbed them.

Either way, all those Presidents did the right thing. President-reject Obama didn’t.

This wasn’t as big a test as Biden predicted, but Obama did fail.

JOE NORMAN

Hey T-REX….

We don’t live in a democracy you spongy headed mutant! This is a CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC! We have a representative form of government here you fool!

In a democracy, you would likely find yourself drug out into the street and beaten to death for being so stupid!

As your luck is good this day, our Constitution prevents that from happening…..but you and your boy and his cronies are working hard to destroy that protection.

Be careful what you ask for….you may get it!

Sis Semper Tyrannis

scribo

The CINC ball honored those rightfully serving. The ball for the Medal of Honor recipients was to honor the many veterans who already served and sacrificed. Both deserve the honors.

Herkpilot

Dear Mary Jane. Those of us who served in combat appreciate your contributions as a spouse, but there’s no need for anyone to “Watch your mouth” just because he’s the CinC. And to “a thought” when I say immature I don’t mean in an adolescent way but rather under-developed. For instance, the commitment to begin “removing our troops day one” is an immature comment that either shows a lack of understanding of simple logisitics, an abandonment of a mission many of us who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa believe is a worthwhile effort or simply pandering. All of which is immature thinking, though not necessarily childish. His comments on reducing or eliminating military projects before he has even become informed about said projects puts him in an awkward position when he either has to go back on his campaign promises or eliminate valid and worthwhile spending in order to fulfill camapign rhetoric. If anyone bothers to study the middle eastern culture (not necessarily Islamic but rather middle eastern)you can see that Osama bin Ladens’ comments about our non-response in Mogadishu was the trip-wire that gave him the greenlight that led to embassy bombings in Africa, the USS Cole in Yemen and eventually to the World Trade Center catastrophe. The non-response to each of those events gave him more followers and allowed Al Queda to have the prestige and credibility it had until a couple years ago when President Bush’s surge was implemented. For Obama to campaign on an immediate withdrawal and abandonment of yet another US military operation on a much grander scale than Mogadishu, regardless of our success simply blurrs the lines and says “We are not committed to our freedom and that of others, nor will we follow through on what we started. Al Queda has won the guerilla war because we quit.” This ain’t WWII where if we own the turf the inhabitants will fall into line. President Bush understood this but Mr. Obama has either calculated his rhetoric was necessary to get elected but doesn’t really believe any of it or has… Read more »

Rustmeister

The President may pay lip service to Veterans, but I doubt he has any actual experience with them.

We’re like bugs under glass, most likely.

Hogan

I had the privilege to attend the Salute to Heroes Ball at
the Renaissance Hotel and felt honored to sit at the same table with a Medal of Honor recipient. He recieved his MOH for selfless acts of bravery in March of 1971. I was a junior in High School then, Vietnam was a world away, and my biggest worry was probably a quiz in math class. I have definitely matured in the last 38 years and understand, with heartfelt reverence, the sacrifices these men and woman have made for this country, we so love. The egregious mistake of Obama not visiting this Ball, was probably due to young upstart advisers, who hopefully, with maturity, will recognize the difference between “flash in the pan” celebrities,(whose Inaugural Balls Obama visited)and true heroes who actually deserve our respect and admiration.

Devil Dog 1073

Here we go…. It does not surprise me that our new commander in chief dished the ball at all. This is only the beginning of what lies ahead. He of all people should be thankful for those MoH recipients. If it wasn’t for those brave men he would have never of been elected President in this democratic society. I just hope all of those people that voted for change are ready for the “CHANGE” that lies ahead for this country!

Devil Dog 1073

I so Concur Herkpilot! I think people should go to the web page Jihad watch.com and watch the video Fitna and see what mistake Obama is going to make by capitulating to the left. In addition, people go to your local bookstore and buy the book Stealth Jihad by Robert Spencer. Just maybe it might change your minds about pulling out of Iraq or Afghanistan.

Kyle

You are being a bunch of right-wing cry babies! Do any of you even know that facts? Perhaps his security detail prevented him from attending. Are the Military big wigs that attended the CinC ball just as ‘un-patriotic’ for not attending? Did the metal of honor recipients not have special treatment / seats at the actual inauguration?

Get over it people! This is going to a be a satisfying 8 years watching you right-wingers squirm!

Herkpilot

T-Rex and just passing by

Obviously I don’t know either of you but my guess is that you’re unfamiliar with the military culture you find yourself trying to discuss. Your commentary might be appropriate if this blog were political but it’s not. It’s about leadership and the military. Clearly you don’t get that the military has always been at the mercy of the presidents, regardless of their party. We’re talking about respect here, not politics. I’d submit that after reading what’s been written here you’re missing the point entirely and clearly can’t fathom what it means to be a Medal of Honor recipient and the esteem we hold them in. If this event had a history of sporadic attendance this would not be an issue, but it has a far different history. This military culture comes from having a second job driving a taxi after duty hours to support your family, yet re-enlisting. Your spouse having to abandon a career due to frequent moves. Eating fried bologna in the mess hall because Mr. Carter held us in such low esteem, yet continuing to serve. I served under Reagan, Bush-41, Clinton, and Bush-43. I’ve been shot at on four continents. That supersedes the simple silly politics you guys are stuck on. It’s about respecting traditions that are important to the people who protect you and your family. Unless you’re one of those people, you don’t get to decide whether that tradition is valid or not just as I don’t get to decide the validity of traditions at Harvard. Of course the difference being one has to do with young people and Ivy League education and the other has to do with young people being sent to war by both democratic and republican presidents over the last 70 years. Quit the sideshows and try to understand what the concerns are.

defendUSA

HerkPilot,
Thanks for those great posts as you are spot on. The others here who are saying the MOH winners weren’t slighted because he attended one event and not another are just wearing Rose colored glasses. I know exactly what say as a veteran about moral and constitutional, and in the end respect. The new president needs to be aware of what he has done and learn from it.

A thought

Herk- Thanks for the thoughtful response and your parsing out what you meant by immature. I would point out that Obama has since altered, if not abandoned, his promise about immediate withdrawal. This change in position reveals the immaturity of both Obama’s rhetoric as well as those who believed what he said word for word. I personally look at specific campaign promises as a glimpse into a candidate’s world view, policy goals etc.
Perhaps my lack of military background provides me with a different perspective, but I have trouble understanding why Obama’s promise of withdrawal amounts to an admission of defeat or an abandonment of our cause or betrayal of the hard work of our troops.
Bush and the Iraqi leaders have already agreed to a withdrawal timeline that is only slightly slower than the one proposed by Obama during the campaign. I don’t see how troop reductions on the first day signial defeat whereas a year from now they mean…what exactly? We have to leave eventually at what point is leaving no longer a betrayal of the hard work of our trooops?
Furthermore, even if all the abandonment and defeatist rhetoric, which demorcats are usually accused of but are now common amount republicans, were to be true, it wouldn’t necessarily mean it wasn’t a prudent action. Sometimes you have to acknowledge that a mistake was made and cut your losses. While I don’t feel that we need to do that in Iraq, the language of abandoment and betrayal are little more than fear mongering in my opinion.

tankerbabe

Dang it “Passing By” ~ they are not Medal of Honor winners. They are Medal of Honor Recipients. I’m just not going to waste the time to type more because you crazy people will never understand of all of this anyway.

Been There

just curious how many of these ranting posters who are claiming some kind of agenda of “payback” have actually done any military duty themselves and how many are just looking for any excuse to wrap the flag around themselves to make up for their bad grammar and spelling. As a ‘Nam vet i was pleased -touched, really- to see the live-feed from troops actually in Kabul as well as the Purple Heart vets chosen to join the light-on-brass C-in-C ball. Those were both brilliant statements that heroism isn’t just in our history but is alive amongst us at this moment. Some new traditions started but not acknowledged.

Appalled

Let’s face it. Obama has no class, no appreciation for the real achievers and heroes of America, and only superficial loyalty to this wonderful country.

He is a Muslim Marxist with a Black Supremacist wife and he owes a ton of IOUs–to a Muslim terrorist sympathizer (Mansur) for buying his way into Harvard, to Soros for funding his way and helping groom him for public deception, and to countless Muslim terrorist organizations and individuals for sending him contributions to buy his way into the White House.

He has been and will continue to collude with Mozzie terrorists and sympathizers from day one.

And the public bought this spectacle which is all glitter and no ethical, patriotic, or moral substance.

I am just sick of this whole godawful BS.

Ryan

You can’t be everything to everyone. Someone is always going to be offended. I don’t know why Obama didn’t show up to this event, I agree it should have been a priorty on his list events – but I don’t know the facts! (as many here don’t either) However, I was happy to see that the MoH receipt’s were given special attention at the inauguration ceremony.
Many of the harsh comments above are the type of divisional politics we are trying to move away from. Some folks don’t want to move on and will just wallow in their ‘not my president’ state of mind. Not me. I’m moving forward…

Cassandra USA

I entered the comment labeled “Appalled”.

I fear for this country. I write books on the subject of how Muslim treat women and infidels and if Obama does bring in 500,000 more Mozzies, we are in for big trouble. They will try to take over.

Anonymous

BALONEY! There are just too many of those stupid balls and how can he possibly attend all of them. Complain about something important than the attendance of a stupid ball.

Raoul

Ryan,

It’s “Not My Zero”.

Raoul

A thought,

“I would point out that Obama has since altered, if not abandoned, his promise about immediate withdrawal.”

Word from yesterday is that Zero directed JCS to meet his 16 month promise to stab our troops in the back.

Hogan

Dear Kyle,
I’m not sure if the 92 yr old MOH recipient was able
to sit out in the cold for hours to see the President.
Some are in wheelchairs. Some suffer from injuries
sustained.
This isn’t about “Red America or Blue America, but
the United States of America” Sound familiar?

WOTN

FACT: Obama skipped the Salute To Heroes Ball.

Lie: “He was there and its the vast right wing conspiracy to deny it.”

Deflect: “He was there at the CinC Ball. “here’s proof”

FACT: The Medal of Honor is EARNED.

Demean: “The MoH is won and there needs to be more of them handed out. It makes people feel important.”

To the Obamanation: Do not try to defend the indefensible. Obama did not attend the Salute To Heroes Inaugural Ball, pure and simple. Wrap your heads around that and the rightful repercussions of it. No amount of deflection or lies will change the facts. There is no time machine that can change the fact that he chose Celebrities over Heroes.

If you don’t like the repercussions of his choices on his first half day in office, vote against The Party in 2010 and against him in 2012.

To the Obama Gestapo: UCMJ states the military must obey his orders. It does not state that the military gives up their 1st Amendment rights to articulate why the CinC is wrong. It provides rules for legal participation in the political process, in order to maintain this branch of the government as independent. It does not allow any member to represent their political views as the political views of the Military establishment.

If you want to take issue with the rights of the Troops to engage in the political process, start with those that are actually breaking the law: the IVAW.

trackback

[…] This doesn’t speak very highly of President Obama’s character: According to TSO who was at the “Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball”, this newly sworn-in President for the first time in 56 years blew off the ball (that’s 14 Inaugurations). […]

A thought

Raoul-

I was referencing the promise to begin withdrawals from day 1, not the 16 month deadline.
As I mentioned above, I fail to see how a withdrawal timeline of 16 months is stabbing troops in the back while a 3 year timeline is somehow loyal to the troops.