First President to skip Heroes Ball in 56Yrs.

The link can speak for itself, but it appears that our new dictator....er...um... leader, has snubbed some of our #ries greatest.

Please read the whole article before commenting, as it appears that it was indeed confirmed by the American Legion.

The Link

I said it on another forum where this was posted.

Screw dancing and get to work, he's got a nice mess to clean up.

I guess showing up at the Youth ball was a bad thing too. For crying out loud, he had ten balls to attend.

Just because it has been going on 56 years doesn't put it in the bible.

Yet, if he did the same old thing every potus did, he is considred the same ol same ol politician. But he goes against the grain and everyone things he is snubbing someoene.

Can't have it both ways.

"
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.
"


Suprise Suprise!! We have all known how he has felt about our troops from the very beginning.
If I was in the military still, to this day, I would be getting out of it right about now if I could. I would NOT want that man to lead me and my fellow Marines and soldiers to the trenches. He is really showing his 'strong support' for our military heroes' and troops.(end of sarcasm).

For being as smart as he is, he is a damned fool.

Originally posted by Common Good

Suprise Suprise!! We have all known how he has felt about our troops from the very beginning.
If I was in the military still, to this day, I would be getting out of it right about now if I could. I would NOT want that man to lead me and my fellow Marines and soldiers to the trenches. He is really showing his 'strong support' for our military heroes' and troops.(end of sarcasm).

For being as smart as he is, he is a damned fool.

You're right!!!! This isn't like the good ol' days, where Dubya would grab a rifle and charge into Fallujah to take out that machine gun nest that was pinning down his squadmates!!!

It's a goddamned ball. Settle down.

anyone who complains about his missing one party, is looking for excuses to shoot the man down before he has even started.

Anyone with an understanding of our military history, also knows that there is a time for cocktails and shaking hands, and there is a time for hard work. Obama did not skip the event to eat cake with some buddies like Bush did during Katrina, he was busy with a few other minor things. Hmm Like a crumbling world economy, a humanitarian disaster in Gaza, Two wars overseas, Terrorist camps in Pakistan, the list goes on. On top of this, he is still working on getting his administration up and running.

If you will recall, Obama has kept on Bushes man at the Pentagon so that Millitary matters will go smoothly. He did not put in place some political hack, but kept in place a Republican appointee to show that he wishes to include members of Both parties in his Administration. If you have listened to his speeches for the last four years, you will know that he regularly talks about the heroism and sacrifices out military has made. If you bother to read the link you will see:

President Obama was invited but did not attend. Vice-President Joe Biden did appear, however, and was very warmly received. The new President’s absence was understandable considering the unprecedented logistical challenges presented by the vastly increased number of visitors to this inauguration and the necessary attendant security measures. The Vice President was able to join us this evening, and we are thankful he was able to make the time to do so.

Thank you,
Craig Roberts

Media Relations Manager
The American Legion

Some people just love to dig up any kind of nonsense to bash a new president before he has even begun.

Well, since he doesn't need the photo op for something like this anymore, then he isn't going to do it. Makes me think of that hospital he was supposed to visit, but didn't because there wasn't going to be any cameras allowed with him to show how much he cares. But it is funny how Obama and Clinton always fall into the "oh he don't care about our troops and the sacrifices they made to our country" line. News flash, not one of them care, to them the military are the pawns for their ambitions. The only kind of president I could see actually having a true care for the military is one who actually served in uniform and was once in the trenches himself. At least Obama isn't putting on a phony show in this case, so I'll give him credit for that.

Originally posted by Common Good
"
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.
"


Suprise Suprise!! We have all known how he has felt about our troops from the very beginning.
If I was in the military still, to this day, I would be getting out of it right about now if I could. I would NOT want that man to lead me and my fellow Marines and soldiers to the trenches. He is really showing his 'strong support' for our military heroes' and troops.(end of sarcasm).

For being as smart as he is, he is a damned fool.

He may be commander n chief in title but when push comes...........the troops will not follow an unlawful man.(or women). He is a fool. The blood of past heroes and current living hearts cry for noble honor. Where is this mans'??? He is a coward.......a media creation. When this country needs leaders.....they will arise. They will arise and stomp the current weakness. Can you hear the footsteps.....stomp....stomp.....stomp.........dress right dress.......lock and load........when this country needs leaders and those of noble birth.....they are here. Mr. Obama When mr Obama is tested.....and the PTB say he will be.......we will see where his bread is buttered.....
Semper Fi and a salute to the heroes that have sacrificed the blood and lives to keep us free. And might I add able to write our thoughts like here on ATS. God bless the families that have lost loved ones so we can be here.......those that need treatment for PTSD......those that hear screams.....that no one else can hear....
I will "speaknoevil"....but have contempt for a leader who snubs those who gave blood, spirit and friends to a country tht the leader cannot even take a few minutes and salute. Acknowledge.............One day Mr Obama....you will realize that America is its veterans. We patriots love this country more than you and ourselves because we love our children and grandchildren and believe what our founding fathers believed......
salute to the hereos.......

All I have to say is that he might have missed that one but he did pay tribute to our troops.

But at the Commander-In-Chief’s Ball, hundreds of military men and women and their dates held their positions for hours, waiting anxiously for the biggest star of the day: President Barack Obama.

When the president emerged waving from a giant backdrop lit with stars and stripes, the troops, including 300 invited wounded warriors from Walter Reed Army Medical Center and their families, erupted in jubilation. Obama shook hands with the senior enlisted advisers of the five services before taking the podium, pledging to work hard for the military and their families, while continuing his call for national unity and service.

www.stripes.com...

Originally posted by eNumbra
I said it on another forum where this was posted.

Screw dancing and get to work, he's got a nice mess to clean up.

I agree, there is a big mess to cleanup in aisle "U.S. friggin A"..

Dancing is not the answer my friend.

Originally posted by nixie_nox
Yet, if he did the same old thing every potus did, he is considred the same ol same ol politician. But he goes against the grain and everyone things he is snubbing someoene.

You nailed it!

And this "Salute to Heroes Ball" isn't even listed in the 4-page Guide to Ianugural Balls and Galas. I haven't seen any indication that this ball even existed this year.

List of Balls



[edit on 27-1-2009 by Benevolent Heretic]

Originally posted by '___'eviant

Originally posted by Common Good

You're right!!!! This isn't like the good ol' days, where Dubya would grab a rifle and charge into Fallujah to take out that machine gun nest that was pinning down his squadmates!!!

It's a goddamned ball. Settle down.

Just a god damned ball? Just a god damned ball? Tell that to those men.
Thepeople he needs to be pleasing the most , hes not. He shouldnt care what you or I think, but he definately should care what those in the military think of him. And it is obvious, he doesnt. he hit the other balls, but I guess they were more important than this one right?
Dont tell me to settle down, If you read the article, you would be just as furious about this "little thing" as I am, unless you have been obamatized.

Ah God this story just sickens me, I am so depressed for the Vets expecting to see him. No one can ever know just what it took to get many of the remaining honorable Vets to this Ball.
There is no excuse, none.

I hope seeing Vice Biden was at least some consolation. I doubt it.

tell everyone you know about this.

There is no excuse. Period!

He has other more important things to do such as --> attending other balls that night

OK, this story is BS. Edit: I was mistaken. The story is true. Sorry.

Update in my next post

There WAS no "Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball" this year. There was a "Heroes Red, White and Blue Ball" which last year was NOT attended by Bush.

Heroes Red, White and Blue Ball

Click the link "2005 Ball" to read about who attended. Bush is not mentioned. Also, 2005 was the first Heroes Red, White and Blue Ball.

This story is bogus.

From the OP Source (BLOG)

UPDATE

After filing this story earlier this week, the topic has taken on a life of its own, and has indeed gone “viral” on the internet. In the comment sections of the linked stories within the original post, there are those that claim the event “never took place,” and that this is indeed a “sham story originated by those on the Right.”

A sample comment, common to all the news stories carrying this:

Pajamas Media got punked with a fake story. ...

A simple check would find that the Legion gave a luncheon for MOHs that President Obama could not attend because he was committed to another luncheon of Americans grateful he could be with them. There was no Salute to Heroes Ball There was the Commander in Chiefs Ball, which Obama did attend. (Cedarford)

There WAS a Salute to Heroes Ball in 2005 and Bush did attend. But I can't find any indication that it even happened this year, even on the American Legion site.


[edit on 27-1-2009 by Benevolent Heretic]

Thanks BH for sorting this out.

Give it a rest people, if he had gone to the ball (if it even existed, which it did not) then there would be a thread about how the POTUS was dancing while the world is falling apart.

Originally posted by TruthWithin
Thanks BH for sorting this out.

Give it a rest people, if he had gone to the ball (if it even existed, which it did not) then there would be a thread about how the POTUS was dancing while the world is falling apart.

Well if there was a thread dedicated to that, it wouldnt be worth much now would it?

Who would attack the president of the united states for Honoring War Heros? NOBODY(unless they were against the troops)

I think the poster here is just the messenger, and is just doin what everyone else does, and that is report.

Originally posted by Terapin
Anyone with an understanding of our military history, also knows that there is a time for cocktails and shaking hands, and there is a time for hard work. Obama did not skip the event to eat cake with some buddies like Bush did during Katrina, he was busy with a few other minor things. Hmm Like a crumbling world economy, a humanitarian disaster in Gaza, Two wars overseas, Terrorist camps in Pakistan, the list goes on. On top of this, he is still working on getting his administration up and running.

I'm sorry to inform you, but this statement is 100% incorrect. Obama did not skip the Heroes Ball to work on "a crumbling world economy" or "a humanitarian disaster in Gaza" or any of the other things you mentioned. He skipped the Heroes ball so that he could attend the following:

The Neighborhood Ball
The Home State Ball (Hawaii & Illinois)
Commander-in-Chief Ball
Youth Inaugural Ball
The State Ball (Delaware & Pennsylvania)
Mid-Atlantic Regional Ball
Western Regional Ball
Midwest Regional Ball
Southern Regional Ball
Eastern Regional Ball

It sure looks to me like he snubbed a large group of heroes who dedicated their lives to the freedom that allowed President Obama to ascend to his position. Pretty crappy IMO.

I was wrong. But here's the scoop.

Newsvine

The most likely reason that President Obama did not go to the "Salute to Heroes" inaugural ball is because it was held in the Renaissance Hotel which consists of 16 floors. There was an event called the "Illinois Party - Presidential Event" held at the Renaissance the night before that the then-President-elect did not attend either (I have a call in to the President's press office asking for confirmation of this information which was given to me by one of my sources for this story). Given the amount of time and resources it would have taken to clear a 16 floor hotel as well as protect it while President Obama was inside, I can only guess that he was advised by his Presidential Protection Detail not to attend either inaugural ball because of the building and the inherent problems in securing and then protecting it. The sheer number of people crowding the streets and staying in the hotel surely presented a formidable screening problem as well. But, there's your story... it's not as sexy as "Barack Obama Hates The Military" but it is the truth as best I can tell after talking to the organization responsible for hosting the event and doing some research and educated guesswork about why a security team wouldn't want to protect a principal in the Renaissance with more than 2 million extra people in Washington D.C.

Update: It would appear that, according to Stars & Stripes that Obama had some Medal of Honor recipients at an inaugural ball that he attended.

And from the American Legions National Adjutant, Dan Wheeler:

"We extended an invitation as we always do. There are numerous Balls
and we know he can't attend them all. Of course, we would have loved
for him to make an appearance, but he didn't. It's a logistical
nightmare. He did meet with the troops at the Commander In Chief's
Ball, and we are grateful for that. Our Ball wasn't about the
President; it was about the Medal of Honor recipients and the veterans
and families who were there. We are grateful that the Vice President
appeared, and our guests were very appreciative.

"That having been said, there are much more important issues to dwell
on, which we intend to do. We look forward to working with the new
administration on ensuring full and guaranteed funding for VA health
care services, and the very best treatment for our service people who
have been wounded, and on the quality of life of all members of the
Armed Forces and their families, as well as the maintenance of a
national security force that will deter any enemy from considering an
attack on America."

So, the President didn't attend the "salute to Heroes Ball". I guess if you want to think that they were suffering about it, you can, but they seem fine with it.