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-Short Attention Span Theater-
Obama shakes Marine's hand after failing to salute
2014-08-19
President Barack Obama apologetically shook the hand of a U.S. Marine in Washington after having failed to return the service member's salute.

Obama was boarding Marine One Friday for a trip to Annapolis, Md., when he failed to return a salute given to him by the Marine on duty at the steps to the helicopter, The Hill reported Friday.

The president soon realized his error and exited the helicopter to shake the Marine's hand and engage in a brief conversation, a White House pool report said.
They've come a long way.
Posted by:gorb

#10  Reagan and both Bushes served in the Military so the salute is appropriate. But then Reagan actually had some class/style. The salute thing post-dates Carter so no hate on him even if he was a Naval Officer. For Clinton and Obama it is/was a mere courtesy. But yes the CIC should show respect and acknowledge our Service Members- looks good to the rest of the world, like somebody is actually in charge of this mess.
Posted by: Flomp Hupavirt9500   2014-08-19 23:07  

#9  #7 - ftw
Posted by: Frank G   2014-08-19 19:20  

#8  Proc2k, yes Reagan did have military service. Then again, so did Eisenhower, and Eisenhower never returned the salutes because he consider edit out of place, since he was a civilian in that position, by his own judgement. Same goes for Kennedy, Nixon, Ford and Carter - all active duty military prior to taking office.

The whole issue of returning salutes is kinda shallow. Either do it properly, or not at all. And if not at all, cite Eisenhower and Kennedy. I'd rather Obama and any other president to simply opt out rather than doing it by rote for public image. I'd not hold it against him (there are so many other good reasons to go after him, this isn't one of them)
Posted by: Gerthudion Unaque8674   2014-08-19 16:42  

#7  Somebody on the plane told him to.
Posted by: Skidmark   2014-08-19 13:27  

#6  Soon after he married Jane Wyman in 1942, Reservist Reagan received the expected call to active duty. Due to his nearsightedness, he was classified for limited service, which meant he couldn’t go overseas. He served at the San Francisco port of embarkation at Fort Mason, Calif., as a liaison officer until transferring from the cavalry to the AAF on May 15, 1942.

Reagan was promoted to first lieutenant, Jan. 14, 1943, and to captain on July 22 of that year. In addition to filmmaking while in uniform, he served in New York City in 1944 to participate in a war bond drive. He returned to Culver City. His film unit eventually helped to make 300 training and propaganda films and was responsible for 3,000,000 feet of combat footage. Reagan called the film office “an important contribution to the war effort.” Other AAF films included Desperate Journey as well as Irving Berlin’s, This Is the Army.

Reagan was recommended for promotion to major on Feb. 2, 1945, but never pinned on gold oak leaves. He returned to Fort MacArthur, Calif., where he was separated from active duty on Dec. 9, 1945. - cite

served (how many in Hollyweird can say that this day? Other than those literally dying off)
Posted by: Procopius2k   2014-08-19 12:13  

#5  I'll give him a pass. He went back and corrected the error. At least he smart enough not to pi** off his own aircrew.
Posted by: Besoeker   2014-08-19 11:33  

#4  Obama , like always , picks and chooses what he wants . Then blames others . Its his modus operandi
Posted by: Zen   2014-08-19 11:30  

#3  Returning the salute started with Reagan. Its optional, and in the case of Reagan, a show of respect for Military Custom and Courttesy.

Obama just needs be consistent one way or another. He can legitimately not return the salutes because he is a civilian as did Eisenhower, or return the salutes as did Reagan.
Posted by: OldSpook   2014-08-19 11:01  

#2  IIRC, civies don't salute. It's a recognition among those in uniform and those who served. The Prez maybe the C-in-C, but still a civie (excepted if he served).
Posted by: Procopius2k   2014-08-19 10:30  

#1  Seems fair enough.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles   2014-08-19 10:01  

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