FactCheck.org: Did Obama snub Medal of Honor recipients at the Inaugural Balls?

Obama is the first president since Eisenhower to miss the American Legion’s Salute to Heroes ball. A Legion spokesman says it “does not feel offended or ‘snubbed,’” and Medal of Honor recipients were invited to the Commander in Chief’s ball, which Obama did attend.

It is true that Obama did not attend the Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball, and that his absence broke a 14-inauguration streak. Vice President Joe Biden did attend the ball, showing up around 11:30. American Legion spokesperson Craig Roberts told FactCheck.org that the president, vice president and first lady have all traditionally attended.

The American Legion released two statements on the matter, saying that “The Legion does not feel offended or ‘snubbed’ by the President’s failure to appear,” expressing gratitude for Biden’s appearance, and adding that “there are much more important issues to dwell on.”

We reproduce both statements here, just as they were e-mailed to us from the Legion…