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September 30, 2010 in City
Baker family invited back to White House
Dress code violation, lack of background check led to denial of West Wing tour
Heidy Baker is comforted by her grandson, Vernon Pawlik, at the burial of Vernon Baker on Friday, Sept. 24, 2010, at Arlington National Cemetery. Major General Reuben Jones holds the flag to the right and Baker’s daughter, Alexandra Pawlik stands to the left.
(Full-size photo)(All photos)
The White House hopes to make amends to the family of Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Vernon Baker after they were turned away from a West Wing tour because of dress code issues.
Reports surfaced Wednesday that the St. Maries family was turned away from a West Wing tour over the weekend because Baker’s step-grandson was wearing shorts and a T-shirt bearing the war hero’s image. The family was in the D.C. area for Baker’s burial at Arlington National Cemetery.
Another member of their party, North Idaho resident Thomas Norris, a retired FBI agent and Medal of Honor winner, also was denied entry to the West Wing because the Secret Service didn’t have time to complete a background check on him.
A White House spokesman said Wednesday evening that the incident was the result of an “unfortunate misunderstanding.”
“We would have loved to have hosted 10-year-old Vernon and his family at the White House and we have reached out to the Baker family and Lt. Norris to communicate our deep regret and invite them back to the White House,” spokesman Adam Abrams said. “This family, as well as Lt. Norris, have given so much to our nation and they have our sincerest appreciation and our apologies for this misunderstanding.”
Norris, who served as a Navy SEAL lieutenant before becoming an FBI agent, had accompanied the Baker family to Washington for the military burial Friday. He said Wednesday that he was told when he arrived at the White House with the Baker family on Saturday that the Secret Service had not run a security clearance on him.
“He apologized,” Norris said of the government employee who explained the problem to him. “He told me ‘The Secret Service has informed me they haven’t had time to do a background check and you can’t get in.’ ”
Moments later, after Norris gave up his place in the tour to the Baker family’s driver, who had clearance, Baker’s step-grandson, Vernon Pawlik, 10, was denied entry because of the dress code. Also on the tour were Vernon Baker’s widow, Heidy, and her daughter Alexandra.
At that point the family gave up and left the White House, Norris said. Heidy Baker was traveling on Wednesday and could not be reached for comment.
In general, there’s no dress code for White House tours, and the family said they’d checked about possible dress codes ahead of time to make sure. But Norris and the Baker family turned down a previously arranged East Wing tour for a more exclusive visit to the West Wing, which does have a dress code. The West Wing is where the Oval Office is located.
Norris acknowledged that the Secret Service has come under pressure to tighten security after a Virginia couple managed to slip into a state dinner uninvited. The White House requires that visitors obtain clearance in advance.
Nevertheless, Norris said, someone in a position of authority should have stepped forward to assess the circumstances on Saturday.
“You would think there would be someone there to stand up and say, ‘I’m a supervisor and we can make an exception” for a Medal of Honor recipient and the grandson of another, he said.
Norris said that little Vernon was looking forward to the tour and hoped to meet President Barack Obama. He even bought one of Obama’s books in case he got a chance to get the president’s signature.
As it turned out, Obama was out of town on Saturday.
Prior to the White House’s Wednesday announcement, staff members of Idaho’s congressional delegation were crafting a letter to the White House about the incident, said Susan Wheeler, communications director for Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho. Wheeler said the letter will ask for an “apology, an explanation and a clarification” of policy from the White House.
Dean Ferguson, communications director for U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick, D-Idaho, said the congressman was “very upset.”
“Vernon Baker was one of our nation’s greatest heroes, and Walt has asked the White House to contact the family,” Ferguson said.
The whole incident “is beyond understanding,” said Norris, who was awarded the nation’s highest honor for military service in 1976 from President Gerald Ford for his actions in Vietnam in 1972.
Norris, then a SEAL adviser with the Strategic Technical Directorate Assistance Team, rescued two downed Air Force officers on separate missions behind enemy lines in Quang Tri province.
In 1979, Norris became an FBI agent after overcoming a grave head wound during his service in Vietnam.
Vernon Baker was the only living black World War II veteran to receive the Medal of Honor for uncommon valor. In 1945 he rallied the troops after their commander deserted and took a German stronghold in Italy, taking out three machine gun nests, two bunkers and an observation post.
Rights panel poorly understood 
Shadedmuse on September 30 at 12:40 a.m.
in the West Wing episode Charlie tells his little brother Anthoney that you have to wear a coat and a tie in he West Wing. Everyone knows you just cant show up like your going to the beach, if you want to wear shorts and tshirt, then go visit the hall of presidents at Disney World.
Dazzeetrader1980 on September 30 at 1:50 a.m.
Well…it seems like there might have been more respect from the visitors. A dress code perhaps might be in order. Common sense dictates one doesn’t go to this type of building without more proper attire.
But now, this seems to be a “covering of the tracks”. Instructions might have been given so there could be no misunderstanding.
lewis8457 on September 30 at 6:25 a.m.
apparently this kid likes shorts and tee shirts the picture of the burial showed everyone in black except for him he was wearing shirts and a t-shirt.
Ninch on September 30 at 8:29 a.m.
The kid was only 10 years old, so why the extreme dress code? And why is there a problem doing a “background check” when the guy is former FBI (because he is already in the system). There is NO excuse for this poor treatment of these distinguished visitors. Again the WH look bad over bad decisions by staff. Obama should make himself available and of course pay for expenses of the return trip.
soccermomsusie on September 30 at 8:52 a.m.
So the kid showed up in cutoffs, flipflops and a t-shirt. Barry O’Kenyan Obamatron 2000 is, as usual, insensitive to cultural norms.
In Idaho, when you are so attired, it is called “formal wear.”
Get a grip Senor Presidente, and quit trying to push east coast elitism on those of us who live in God’s Country.
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!
ike on September 30 at 12:18 p.m.
More likely just the same top-down contempt for the military that this administration and b hussein in particular has repeatedly shown….. along with their left-wing allies in the mainstream media; at acorn, and moveon.org!!
rabiddog9 on September 30 at 12:56 p.m.
Barrak Hussein Obama doesn’t have the credentials to lick a medal of honor winners shoes, much less deny access to the white house to this man’s family. Is he afraid of something? Afraid of a ten year old boy? Afraid to be in the presence of a heros grandson? Perhaps he is afraid to be confronted with the descendant of this true American hero, in front of whom he would appear so small and insignificant. ……Oh no you say it’s just that one needs to show “proper respect for the office” Ha Ha Ha … after Carter Clinton Oboy and others that little sham is waning rapidly. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar you say?…Yeah right. Respect is earned ….
chiggerbug on September 30 at 1:06 p.m.
This president is not worthy to be in the presence of Medal of Honor recipients, nor their families. BHO is a disgrace to the office of the President of the United States.
ike….well said
shadedmuse & daisy minken…. typical liberal nonsense. blame the victim or the innocent. my word, the kid is 10 years old and is honoring his grandfather…which is more than bho would have done.
thegratefuldad on September 30 at 1:19 p.m.
I’m sure if the 10 year old was wearing a SEIU t-shirt they would have been let right in!!!!
soccermomsusie on September 30 at 1:29 p.m.
It is too bad that a real war hero president like the best president ever - GEORGE W BUSH wasn’t there instead of madrasa school dropout OBAMA(tron 2000).
GWB was a flying ace and shot down many a Viet Cong Fokker. Just like Snoopy vs. The Red Baron. Plus GWB liked black people (I mean look at how he always looked at Condi). Whereas, Barry O’Kenyan has showed over and over again that he does not like African-Americans.
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!
KatBreshears on September 30 at 2:03 p.m.
Oh jeez..when the womens volleyball team went to meet GWB, they all wore flip flops…guess GWB’s administration was just a little bit more down to earth.
jam_socom on September 30 at 2:14 p.m.
“Another member of their party, North Idaho resident Thomas Norris, a retired FBI agent and Medal of Honor winner…”
It drives me insane every time a reporter refers to a Medal of Honor recipient as the winner of a Medal of Honor. You don’t win the Congressional Medal of Honor, you earn it. Nobody goes to war thinking “I’m going to WIN a Medal of Honor”. Maybe is not a big deal for most people, but if you ever talk to a Medal of Honor recipient you’ll see how they feel that they didn’t any prize. Most feel that they “earn it” while conducting what they believe was just their job. Hence, they are awarded such an honor.
Dollarshort on September 30 at 3:20 p.m.
The people who are in the white house now seem to have forgotten they are just there for a short time and the house belongs to us. A proactive staff would have arranged quickly for the child to be provided more formal cloths (only takes a phone call) and have them continue on with our blessing and appreciation.
Clearance my butt (not exactly what I wanted to say) - A person who is “awarded” The Medal of Honor is already loaded in numerous data banks and their clearance check should take about 2 seconds.
I am disappointed that anyones race was identified, the issue is how the WH has gone beyond disrespectful with both a deceased and living Medal of Honor awardee and their family.
Captain, MS ( E1 to E6, O1 to O3 Retired 2005 due to injury)
FesteAinoriba on September 30 at 3:28 p.m.
Unconscionable that drug-addled, dishonorable, tax cheating, philandering, counterculture revolutionist liars are freely walking the halls of the west wing, but a medal award winning Navy Seal who had an illustrious career with the FBI can’t get in because the gatekeepers aren’t sure that he can be trusted.
With this administration, it doesn’t matter if you are a wolf, only that you are properly dressed up and can reasonably be passed off as a sheep.
sjulstad on September 30 at 3:33 p.m.
Why wasn’t there a background check on Obama before he was allowed in the White House?
jddavis on September 30 at 4:07 p.m.
Nobody “wins” a Medal of Honor, it is not some competition; they are AWARDED. I’m certain Mr. Norris’ background check could have been completed within a matter of minutes based on his service as a SEAL.
Certainly someone must have the discretion to admit a 10-year old if his clothes weren’t up to expectations, if for no other reason than to prevent such a stupid incident.
soccermomsusie on September 30 at 4:40 p.m.
Festealnoribe, Look GWB, said he was sorry he did drugs. That was something he did as a kid. By the time he was 50 he was clean and sober. So get off his back.
Yes, the volleyball team wore flipflops and nice sundresses and the Bush Administration (the best) instituted a dress code so that shamelessness would not occur again. After that, people were expected to dress appropriately - after all, The Almighty spoke to President Bush’s stomach. YOU BETTER DRESS UP!
God will never talk to Obama and tell him which country to attack. So dress any way you like. It’s not like the old days. Back then, when you visited a president (GWB), you visited a combination tabernacle and oracle.
W again in 2010!!
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!
storminjames on September 30 at 5:32 p.m.
First the “honest mistake” when they embarassed us by hanging the Philipino flag upside down. Now just an “unfortunate misunderstanding”. What a load of BRAVO SEIRRA! These are the most arrogant, self centered, egotistical, low lifes that have ever infested the halls of our capital. It is seriously time to sweep the both houses clean and start over with people who will listen to us and follow our directions. Then the White house next.
anna1975 on September 30 at 8:40 p.m.
I am not much of an Obama fan myself, but I think everyone is overreacting. Whether you like him or not, Obama is the president and keeping him, his family, and his staff safe is a serious security issue. Do you really expect them to drop everything to check out the story of someone who claims to be a Medal of Honor recipient? Don’t you imagine that a number of people try to lie their way in to the White House? It’s terribly unfortunate how the timing of the incident worked out, but I don’t fault his staff for doing their jobs to keep the west wing secure. Not sure about the dress code considering the kid was 10 - that probably was overreacting.
greenlibertarian on September 30 at 8:42 p.m.
It never ceases to amaze me how ignorant, and worse, believing things that are demonstrably wrong, always rears it’s ugly head in American public opinion.
What happened was some Secret Service guy screwed up royally, nothing more, nothing less.
Yet the birthers, teabaggers, and assorted cranks are ready to blame Obama for this, and lynch him for it. That’s stupendous.
TxnByBrth on September 30 at 10:03 p.m.
Like everything else this administration is doing…they’re clueless and when their snafu catches the public’s attention, they try and correct their mistake. The most incompetent person to ever run for president, let alone win.
pryxp1 on October 01 at 4:23 a.m.
If they can screw up something like this, just think what they can do with healthcare. They are times when decision need to be made concerning life andd death there are no do overs.
What joke we have as “President” does rag head communist come to mind?
AkkA on October 01 at 5:07 a.m.
So a Medal of Honor recipient’s family are turned away from the White House due to a Tshirt but social climbers from DC Housewives GET INTO A STATE DINNER. The lack of common sense in this whole outfit is staggering. The screw ups start at the top. This is PROOF the Trickle Down theory works. Unfortunately the only thing trickling down is STUPIDITY.
TomRoberts on October 01 at 6:16 a.m.
greenlibertarian said on September 30 at 8:42 p.m.
It never ceases to amaze me how ignorant, and worse, believing things that are demonstrably wrong, always rears it’s ugly head in American public opinion.
What happened was some Secret Service guy screwed up royally, nothing more, nothing less.
Yet the birthers, teabaggers, and assorted cranks are ready to blame Obama for this, and lynch him for it. That’s stupendous.”
To greenlibertarian.
It never ceases to amaze me how Liberals like yourself fail to express themselves without the use of name-calling. It’s so easy to spot Liberals. How? Let me count some of the ways…
Liberals are the ones dripping with hatred, yet call others ‘haters’.
Liberals are the ones screaming for freedom of speech, yet try to silence all opposing views.
Liberals are the ones crying for freedom of the press, yet want the only network not in the Democrat’s pocket, Foxnews shut down at every turn.
Liberals are the ones who call Republicans war mongers, yet Democrats entered the U.S. into WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War, and dropped the only atomic bombs on civilians in history - and did it twice.
Liberals are the ones who claim to be for tolerance, yet Democrats imprisoned Americans of Japanese descent for the entire period of World War II, taking their homes, belongings and businesses, only allowing those Americans to keep what they could carry.
Liberals are the ones who claim to be for equality, yet Democrats fought for slavery and thrust the United States into civil war over it, causing the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans because the Democrats refused to give up their right to own human beings.
Liberals are the ones who claim to be for racial equality, yet fight to keep Affirmative Action alive, the New Black Panthers, NAACP, and the Black Caucus alive and thriving.
Liberals are the ones who claim to be for integration, yet choose segregation every chance they get, calling it ‘diversity’.
Liberals are the ones calling for an end to the war during Bush, yet don’t seem so interested in the story anymore now that a democrat is running the show. No more news reports and video of bodies coming home.
etc. etc. etc.
It never ceases to amaze me how Liberals can sleep at night knowing they’re nothing more than walking, talking paradoxes, complete and utter hypocrites, with no desire to help humanity at all, only a thirst for power, their power and no one else.
But please don’t change on my account, though. Displays like yours are a joy to behold, and an education for those who’ve not yet seen or heard a Liberal in action. Keep it up.
Oh, and we’re not falling for the libertarian moniker. Try harder next time.
TomRoberts on October 01 at 6:18 a.m.
I wonder if all the hip hop artists wore shirts and ties. No shorts and big Nikes?
JBlim on October 01 at 6:36 a.m.
They ought to just set up two lines, one marked “Regular folks and terror suspects” and the other line marked “War heroes and relatives of war heroes.” That way, those in the war heroes line could just walk in without being inconvenienced with any screening, questions or searches. So what do think, will you support my plan or do you hate the troops and our war heroes?
tadchem on October 01 at 6:56 a.m.
There was no misunderstanding. Just a lack of communication. One WH clerk sent out the invitations. Another WH clerk who was supposed to send out the protocol booklet (“What to expect when you visit the White House”) didn’t get the cc: of the memo. Another WH clerk who was supposed to pass the guest list on to the Secret Service for background checks screwed up. [How long can it take to do a background check on an FBI retiree??]
Hanlon’s Razor applies: “Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.” The current administration seems to have specialized in selecting completely unqualified people for positions at all levels, resulting in much application of Hanlon’s Razor.
JBlim on October 01 at 7:32 a.m.
tadchem say:
“The current administration seems to have specialized in selecting completely unqualified people for positions at all levels”
That’s utter partisan garbage.
hawken on October 01 at 9:11 p.m.
MY PUBLIC APOLOGY TO JBLIM: On All his strings
JBlim is correct…. It was not JBlim that called me “wing nut.”
I did in fact confuse him with someone else. JBlim…. please accept my sincere apology.
I am embarrassed and genuinely sorry.