Medal of Honor recipient's family turned away at White House

JJ_BPK · 09-30-2010, 13:27

This may not get to your neighborhood paper...

Quote:

Medal of Honor recipient's family turned away at White House
by Associated Press
KTVB.COM
Posted on September 29, 2010 at 3:13 PM

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Family of Medal of Honor recipient Vernon Baker was denied access to the White House's West Wing on Saturday, a day after the World War II hero was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Baker's widow, Heidy, and grandson, Vernon Pawlik, 10, were denied entry because the boy was wearing shorts and a T-shirt. His shirt had a picture of his grandfather on it.

A White House Web site doesn't list a dress code, but the family had been invited to tour the West Wing, which houses the president's office and where casual dress is prohibited.

U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick's office says he's contacted the White House to express his disappointment.

Vernon Baker, of St. Maries, Idaho, was the last living black World War II Medal of Honor winner.

The White House didn't return a phone call seeking comment.

http://www.ktvb.com/news/Medal-of-Ho...104032604.html

Red Flag 1 · 09-30-2010, 14:03

This White House just can't get it together can they. It is sad to learn that this eletist behavior continues, to the degree that it does

.

Thanks for posting this JJ.

RF 1

ZonieDiver · 09-30-2010, 14:10

However, if they had a "reality" show and just happened to appear at the WH, they probably would have been allowed to enter... if they were dressed appropriately.

Andrew Jackson is turning over in his grave!

greenberetTFS · 09-30-2010, 14:12

This is sad but not surprising considering who are POTUS is...........

I know damn sure our last POTUS would not have let this happen..........

Big Teddy

echoes · 09-30-2010, 14:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ_BPK

This may not get to your neighborhood paper...

Stupid dumb SOB's at the White House need a lesson or two on Our Country's History, and why All gave some, but some gave All.

"Denied Entry," What a load of crap!!!!

Holly

EDIT to Add: The SOB refference in this post is referring to the folks that denied entry, not to the POTUS.

Todd 1 · 09-30-2010, 14:24

Quote:

Baker's widow, Heidy, and grandson, Vernon Pawlik, 10, were denied entry because the boy was wearing shorts and a T-shirt. His shirt had a picture of his grandfather on it.

WTF, a kid can't wear a tee-shirt of his war hero grandpa

Pathetic

White House dress code czar to Vernon Pawlik: "Don't worry son, put this on and you'll be good to go."

dennisw · 09-30-2010, 14:36

I wonder what would have happened if the kid was wearing this t-shirt?

obama t-shirt.jpg

echoes · 09-30-2010, 14:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennisw

I wonder what would have happened if the kid was wearing this t-shirt?

Attachment 16698

I know, You know, and all of the smart people left in the USA know. It is just sickening to think about, all the way around this! Some folks may choose to bury their heads in the sadn, and not think twice about this little incident.

But to me, it forecasts the Agenda of the current Administration, and no, am not drinking the kool-aid...This is a sign of things....to come.

Holly

Richard · 09-30-2010, 15:54

Quote:

The staffer who was to lead the family wasn't sure whether 10-year-old Vernon Pawlik's attire — shorts and a T-shirt bearing a picture of the boy's grandfather — was considered appropriate, officials said. Another winner of the military's top award, Thomas Norris, also was turned away because he was not previously cleared for the tour.

Mr. Norris and the Baker family had turned down a previously arranged East Wing tour for the more exclusive visit to the West Wing.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...ur-because-sh/

Certainly sounds as if PVT Murphy is alive and well among the lower echelons of the White House staff.

Richard

Oldrotorhead · 09-30-2010, 16:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennisw

I wonder what would have happened if the kid was wearing this t-shirt?

Attachment 16698

I hope the kid had more taste.
SOMEONE in the White House should pay for that kid to return to the White House for a personal tour. I'm sure one of those rich people in the White House would not charge the tax payers, but would pay for the trip himself if RuePaul, sorry Muchelle let him.

ZonieDiver · 09-30-2010, 16:17

For me, the fact that this happened makes turning them away even more sad.

http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/...war#post343328

Quote:

Widow of Medal of Honor recipient can't afford to attend Arlington burial

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.ktvb.com/news/Widow-of-Me...100447779.html

Quote:

Quote:
Vernon Baker died at his St. Maries home in July and will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1941, served and was wounded in World War II. Vernon was 90 years old.

But Baker's wife of the last 17 years, Heidy Baker, can't afford to attend the burial of her own husband's ashes

I guess honoring an MOH awardee and his family is to expensive but the FLOTUS can jet set her way around the world.

Blue
__________________
NOUS DEFIONS

echoes · 09-30-2010, 16:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZonieDiver

For me, the fact that this happened makes turning them away even more sad.

http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/...war#post343328

That is just...wrong.

Holly

Saoirse · 09-30-2010, 16:39

I thought it was a shame that Mrs. Baker couldn't afford to pay to fly out to Arlington. I thought it was a shame that the WH treated her and your grandson the way they did. But....surprised, I was not.
I am just glad that her community came together to help her out and provide her the ability to attend the burial in Arlington. What good people there must be in St. Maries, ID. Their help and sense of community is a great example of what Americans are all about!
This behavior (from the WH), all the way around, shows that what is in our WH is not representative of us as Americans. It is an example of the darkest pits of humankind...not the best of humankind or of what America is truly about. I am sure if Pres. Bush had been there, this incident would not have happened.

Gypsy · 09-30-2010, 17:10

Ridiculous, it wasn't a formal event..."dress code" be damned. The kid is 10, what's he supposed to do...wear a suit?

NoTime89 · 09-30-2010, 17:12

These are a huge hit over in China right now.

My brother thinks it says "Hope is for the People"...