Obama Snubs Nation's Heroes, Becomes the First President to Skip Ball Honoring Medal of Honor Recipients in Over 50 Years
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.
Follow-up story: American Legion Acknowledges That Obama Failed to Attend the Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball
Comments
Change?
Oh please... Yes, we are going to experience change. It won't be the kind of change any of us care for, including the ones that praised him and voted for him. All Obama did was pay lip service to the American people. He told us what we wanted to hear and didn't it sound good. Time will tell and from what I've heard there are people that voted for him that now are wondering if they did the right thing. Our freedom came from the lives and deaths of innocent people that believed in something and fought for it. He should have been the 1st one in line at the MOH ball and hob-nobbed with the celebs at another more appropriate time. Oh well, get use to it this is just the beginning of the Obamanation.
Skipped Ball
So glad this is my Commander in Chief. perhaps the next time WE have to go to war or get called for events like Katrina/Rita....apparently it's ok to just not show up?? Not all History being made is good... LEAD BY EXAMLE SIR!!!
not to sound like i dont
not to sound like i dont care about the people being honored,but WHAT part or the fact that out country is in the greatest depression since the 1920's dont people understand. Perhaps instead of going to an inauguration ball, which he would have been no part of only a guest. He had already started to plan on how to save our country.... Prioritizing & doing what &only what is necessary to benefit our country..
THATS THE CHANGE WE'RE LOOKING FOR.
Medal of Honor Ball
This does not surprise me...Obama is not presidential material...he is not a class act. God help this country...in my opinion, the man is an unknown...was never properly vetted...actually who is he? Barry Sorento ( however you spell his real last name)....and some people elected this man to be president of our country??? We are pretty bad off...if this is the best the American people could do... We have some very stupid people in this country.
Nadine Meade
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online civil engineering degree and online aerospace engineering degree and online mechanical engineering degree
Karaoke
Sing it with me now "I see your true colors, shining through"
I am not surprised
He is so out of touch, especially for being "The Messiah".
I've listened to a bunch of
I've listened to a bunch of opinions on here but yours and others mocking of Christ (regardless of how you put it) isn't something to be taken lightly, whether you believe or not.
Obama Skips Ball
Already showing his true colors......
No Return Snub
O feels like he can get away with this, obviously, because our military ALWAYS shows up when we call them. (They are our family, that's why.)
Vinegar douche. Party-print bag. Welcome to 44.
Actions speak louder than words
This is a disgrace. I love America and support our new president, but this is a terrible mistake that shows blatant disregard for those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. Yes, Pres. Obama attended a ball honoring our troops now serving, but he cannot forget those who have already served.
You Guys Are All Nuts
The article doesn't even say he was invited. There are no comments of regret from anyone who organized the ball. Or maybe they just invited him too late.
No matter what happened, if this is your biggest criticism of who, I might remind you, is our new Commander in Chief, then I feel even better about him being in office, not worse.
P.S.- Have a fun 8 years.
If he keeps making mistakes
If he keeps making mistakes such as these he won't last 8 months.........
You guys are the most
You guys are the most raciest bunch of people. Obama rocks! Idiots, he is not the messiah or the anti-christ. Get over it!!!
What does race have to do
What does race have to do with this? He mad a mistake. If George W would have done this imagine what people would of said. Don't use race as an excuse because this was inexcusable.
Are you serious?
Can you tell me what about this ROCKS!! Disrespecting our military Rocks???? Please, are you serious???
You're such an idiot that
You're such an idiot that you can't even use the word "racist" properly in a sentence much less spell it right!
Raciest?
Raciest.. Like racy? as in, fast? Or as in like, sexy?
Loser
I guess questioning the president makes us racist. If you think that someone in leadership of our country can not be questioned because they are black then I would guess you don't believe they are strong enough to lead becuase they are of another color and that makes you not only a racist yourself but a pitiful excuse maker, I guess the dog ate your homework. Does being black make him any less a president or man. I think not...It is my constitutional right to question my leaders no matter if they are black, white, republicians, democrats, Bush or Obama. Have you ever noticed how fast liberals like to pull out race, it is the catch all for when things aren't going their way. With 62 million votes I don't believe you have the trump all race card anymore... racist loser......You need to find something more original......
You guys..??
Who are "you guys" and what do you mean by that statement?? Are you categorizing people? Are you biased yourself?? Are you being racist or prejudiced based on your perceptions??
Just because someone does not like the behavior of the new President does NOT make the person a racist. That is baloney. You don't even know what race we are. I am so sick of all the ad hominem attacks from those who worship Obama on anyone who makes the slightest criticism of him. NO, people are NOT racist if they don't like Obama's policies or behaviors. Race has NOTHING to do with it. How do you explain black people who don't like Obama? Now, if you only voted for Obama BECAUSE he was black, then YOU are the racist.
By the way, why did none of you vote for other black candidates when they ran for office--like Jesse Jackson or Alan Keyes?? They both are more black than Obama and they both have more experience too. Personally, I wish Thomas Sowell would run. He is more intelligent and would be a better candidate than any of those who ran in this last election.
Blah blah blah
As usual when the left doesn't have a leg to stand on they scream racism.
You sound like a product of the Chicago Public Schools.
You are so fucking ignorant
You are so fucking ignorant right now.
"The article doesn't even say he was invited." ???
are you STUPID ??? NO PRESIDENT HAS MISSED THIS BALL SINCE FDR . what is wrong with you your head is so far up your ass for this douche bag that you . just blow this off.
anmddd oh no this is hardly our "biggest criticism " he has no charter he does nothing out of his own accord all he does is ride out on the coat tails of former presidents. tiring to make people think he is someone else.
because he doesn't even know who he is .
his charter is flawed and shallow and he is a disgrace , a national disgrace !!!!!
your change your tune by June when you realize you've been had . and he is no better then Marx ,Stalin or Mussolini. "Change" isn't always a good thing
You are an idiot!! Of course
You are an idiot!! Of course he was invited, just like EVERY president since the ball's inception has been invited. It shows the man's priorities. The point is that this shows a shade of the man's character and priorities. I respect the office and hope he does well, but his ideologies, and character look like a long and detrimental 4 years (not 8).
He is the president. it is
He is the president. it is an inaugural ball. of course he was invited. that is the dumbest excuses i have ever heard. I did not vote for him but i will support him because he is our president now. I am sure there are things that they dont tell you in this article, but the fact is that he didnt show, and he is the first president not to show. and that is bull..
Wasn't invited?
The new President wasn't invited to an Inaugural ball?
Your stretching really hard for that one.
Your nuts were not1
In referecence to the post whose subect says "Were all nuts."
O doesn't have to be invited. Your an idiot!
Lose The Race Card
It Is Despicable that he pulled a no show on this! This is why the draft will be instituted again due to the lack of respect he has for our men and women in uniform. I know many military people who are not re upping due to this LACK OF RESPECT!
DUMB A##ES
Some of the people on here are completely RETARDED! "Maybe he wasnt invited" Are you serious? Every other president has attended this to show their respect for military personnel that have earned the highest medal for their heroism. If you believe he wasnt invited then YOU are a DUMB ASS. He chose not to attend just proving who he truly is and where his priorities are, The military is ALWAYS there when they are needed but he just showed he doesn't give a damn about them.
have fund 8 years
You are counting your chicken befour your eggs hatch he will have 4 years and by that time people will have woke up and vote him out
Comments like the above
Comments like the above poster "Was he even invited" The reason that Generals and Presidents must salute that little itty bitty blue ribbon I will explain to you
The men that wear that ribbon gave of themselves more than can be expected or described They did something that is above and beyond your scope of thinking They put their own life on the line In the face of certain death for others not themselves mind you for others It is men that wear those ribbons and others that worked with them that allow you to write the trash you just wrote For if it was not for men of that courage and honor you would not have those freedoms
For a sitting President to skip or not ask to be involved with men like that speaks volumes of his character If you do not understand these concepts as I wrote them Take 10 minutes out of your day and read what some of these men that lived did
http://www.homeofheroes.com/a_homepage/quick_links.html
Common Myths
The reason that Generals and Presidents must salute that little itty bitty blue ribbon I will explain to you
With all due respect, the above is one of two common myths concerning the highest military honor.
Members of the military are NOT REQUIRED to salute a recipient of the Medal of Honor per se. There is no standing order or directive concerning this. However, it is common practice for members of the military to do so.
I was stationed in Germany in the 60s and when a MOH recipient was transferred to our base, the Commanding General issued a notice about this indicating that it was "common courtesy" and directing members of the command of all ranks to render the recipient a hand salute upon approach.
The other common myth is that the title of the award is the Congressional Medal of Honor. This too is false. The name of the award is the Medal of Honor. It is presented in "the name of Congress" but that is not an official part of the award title. One of the continuing sources of this mistake is that there is a Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Adding the word "Congressional" does seem to upgrade the status of the award.
This whole debate about Obama attending the event can be settled on Monday when I will call the secretary of the society and see what she has to say about it.
Personally, the Medal of Honor is a hobby of mine and I follow many aspects of the award. Quite frankly I didn't see anything about the MOH Ball taking place. That certainly doesn't mean that it didn't happen.
I am also a member of the Order of the Purple Heart as well as the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. I did'nt read anything from the Order of the Purple Heart announcing an event in Washington. Again, that doesn't mean it didn't happen.
WHERE IS RACE MENTIONED IN
WHERE IS RACE MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE? I LOVE BEING IN THE RACIEST CATEGORY. JUST DON'T CALL ME
A RACIST.
Not a big surprise to me
Well, I didnt vote for him and this is why. I saw through all his bullsh*t words. Change my a**!
you're all morons
of course he was invited. he was invited to all the balls. only president clinton, who attended 14 balls, attended more. president obama attended 10 balls. you all need to get your 2 balls out of your mouths and stop criticizing people and events you have no experience with. is it unfortunate that he couldn't attend all the balls? yes, of course it is. i don't see you whiners complaining about the other balls he didn't attend, and i think any MoH winner will be gracious enough to move on with their lives.
as for rubbing shoulders and enjoying the limelight, i call bullshit on your ridiculous ranting. 10 balls, 1 night. including travel time between the balls, and the secret service prep, you're talking about a max of 15 or 20 minutes per ball, that had to include the speech and the dance.
this doesn't speak to his character, or lack thereof. it speaks more to his schedule. he finished at the last ball of the night at 2:30 AM. he has two small children to whom he is a devoted father. that speaks more to his character. so does his gracious behavior towards chief justice roberts, when he flubbed the presidential oath of office.
now get down off your high horses, and do something to contribute and make the world a better place.
Get down off...
your OWN high horse. Thanks for apologising for Obama, you're going to get plenty of practice at it. This dog and pony show will wear thin after this buffoons ineptitude shows through the teleprompter powered campaign yak yak yak.
You shall see that promises were just "Obamises", and he's already breaking them. The first may have been to protect the Constitution against all threats foreign and domestic. Dissing the military doesn't fill the bill. He's an asskisser, and so are his apologists. Let him rise or fall on his own merits.
speaking of morons...
"this doesn't speak to his character, or lack thereof."
It speaks to his priorities. Celebs are more more important than heros to Obama.
I do believe it is
I do believe it is impossible to be at all the balls in one night.. But that is where priorities come in.. Our military is NOT a priority of Obama's... Anyone who supports flag burning and refuses to salute our flag or sing our national anthem why would it be important to him to honor ones who have defended it......
Thats who america chose to lead us.. If he does not agree with our history where does that leave our future??????
Obama & Medal of Honor Recipients
If you check it out, the first thing you do is honor your military. I didn't agree with Clinton's politics but he had the courtesy to honor these men first as did Bush. Something I see on some of my emails says only two people have died for you. The first is Jesus Christ, he died for your soul and the US military, he died for your freedom.
If this ball was not listed on the official list does not mean it did not happen.
21 year AF retiree and Cold War Veterian
Dan
Indianapolis IN
Great job, minorities and
Great job, minorities and college students. You helped elect a president that shuns the people that help protect this country.
This college student sure
This college student sure didn't! Although, I'll admit, many that I know unfortunately did.
yeah up yours John, I'm in
yeah up yours John, I'm in College and I sure as hell didnt vote for him
Don't lump us all
Hey, this minority member / former college student didn't vote for him, so don't lump us all in one group. I'm sure I'm not alone either, although my minority is an even smaller one than "his." Pop culture helped win this election.
I don't care.......he
I don't care.......he doesn't give a rats A** about any of Americas fighting men, he's just in a hurry to visit with all those rich actors who give him $50,000.00 each to get priority at his events. He cares about as much for our heros as the last dump he took.
MOH Soldiers were at the Commander in Chief Ball
I'm not sure why the myth is being perpetuated - but their were 40+ Medal of Honor soldiers at the CiC ball - there are only 99 of these brave men living today.
I believe it would be an intelligent determination to assume that the MoH soldiers were at the CiC ball, and NOT at another ball that Obama didn't show up too supposedly.
Obama's Snub
Welcome to the new era of Change - Reverse Discrimination! If you don't believe it, check out the performance at one of the other ball's by Jay-Z and Little Jeezy. How disgusting! If they lived in Afghanistan or Iraq, they might be dead by now for insulting a President. They don't have a clue what true heroes and freedom are all about! Shame on this nation for tolerating this blatant crime! Enough is enough - You can keep the Change - I'll keep my freedom, thanks to George Bush and other heroes in our public service and the military who have kept us safe from outward terrorists for 7 years. Now we are assaulted by terrorists within - far left media, tax and spend liberal left-wing politicians, & hollywood hoodlums. God forgive this nation and have mercy on us for abuse of true freedom!
AMEN!
AMEN!
AMEN
Amen!
that does bother me obama
that does bother me obama not attending the ball dedicated to and honoring our nations heroes. he should have been there even just long enough to acknowledge the fact that these heroes who were willing to give their lives for our country mean something to not only
this nation but to him, the new commander-in-chief of the military. i, for one would like to see obama comment on his reason for not attending such a special ceremony saluting those heroes and also obama should make a visit to the wall to honor those who did not come back but gave the ultimate sacrifice .
-from a
marine corps veteran wife with two sons also marines
We just announced this
We just announced this morning that President-elect Obama will host a Commander-in-Chief’s Ball on the night of January 20th in honor of our country’s brave men and women in uniform. Those invited will include wounded warriors (Purple Heart recipients), families of fallen heroes, and spouses of deployed military.
huh?