I tried to verify this, but none of the normal cites have anything regarding
its truthfulness. There are numerous blog sites (questionable) confirming
it. Should you find something please notify me for my own interest. clayp
<
http://www.clevelandleader.com/> Cleveland Leader
<
http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/8650>
Breadcrumbs
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.
<
http://www.clevelandleader.com/taxonomy/term/106>
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
<
http://thisainthell.us/blog/?p=7224> 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.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From:
"Warren Thompson"
<
http://us.mc541.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=migalley2@bellsouth.net>
migalley2@bellsouth.net
========================
Subject: Obama skips Military Ball
I would be amazed if any of these events were mere 'oversights'. Sadly, it
appears to be a glimpse into the future. But, then, did we really expect
anything else?
Subject: Obama skips Military Ball
Obama Snubs Medal of Honor Recipients
Here it is less than 72 hours into a new administration and the blogs have
already been burning up the internet over a major snub by our new president.
What is the slight that they're feeling? What's got them all bunched up? A
party - one the new president failed to show up for.
Every four years during inauguration evening (the galas began in 1809),
groups vie for a visit from the incoming president, his wife, and anyone
from his ticket. For decades, the "official" and "unofficial" galas have
hoped to get a short visit from the president. He would take a few turns on
the dance floor, say a few words to those gathered, and move on to the next
one. Typically, these galas and balls consist of groups of people that have
a common theme or background - from youth groups (H.O.P.E. Inaugural Youth
Ball) to the National Council on Women ball. Which ones the new president
attends say much about his priorities (right or wrong) and which
demographics he may hold in high esteem.
In this case, the American Legion, the Military Order of the Purple Heart,
and the Paralyzed Veterans of America, as well as other veteran's groups,
were sponsoring their gala that has coincided with the inaugural evening
since Eisenhower took office in 1953. In total, nine presidents and 56 years
have gone by, and each inaugural evening the new president arrived to thank
the veterans and Medal of Honor recipients in attendance. As one of the
"unofficial" balls, it meant quite a bit to have the president show up and
make an appearance.
Except this time.
The president and first lady, for the first time in those ensuing 56 years,
did not make an appearance at the Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball. In
attendance at the gala were 48 of the 99 living recipients of our nation's
highest honor. Of the 99 who are still with us, not even half are in any
condition or possess the wherewithal to travel to such an event. And by the
next inauguration, likely half of those won't be with us.
Making this evening even more special was the fact that it is the 50th
anniversary of the Medal of Honor Society, which has been working hard to
reach out to people to educate them about its members.
The new president's perceived "slights" against the military have made
veterans and military members quite sensitive to how President Obama treats
them. From calling for a pullout from Iraq during the campaign to forgoing a
visit to injured GWOT vets in Germany, we have kept an eye on his every move
and decision with regards to our nation's finest. This "change" appears to
have set the tone for the rest of his administration. To forgo a tradition
of greeting the veterans who've received the highest honor in order to
attend galas featuring Hollywood elites was just a bit too much to bear.
Even in his inaugural address to the nation, he mentioned the sacrifices of
veterans of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, but failed to mention (or deliberately
ignored) the veterans of our current sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan. That
gives more credence to the feeling that he just no longer cares about the
sacrifices being made on behalf of our country and the service that so many
Americans have made over the years.
.