WASHINGTON, May 24 (RIA Novosti) – United States President Barack Obama committed a military faux pas on Friday, when he broke with tradition and didn’t return the salute of a Marine standing guard at the door of the presidential helicopter Marine One.
A White House press pool report noted that “a few White House regulars were atwitter” when Obama walked up the steps of the helicopter without saluting the Marine on duty.
Seconds after he boarded Marine One, Obama did an about-face, walked back down the stairs, and shook hands and said a few words to the Marine, still without saluting.
Obama then re-boarded the helicopter for his trip to Annapolis, Maryland to deliver the commencement address at the US Naval Academy.
