Obama Declines Invitation to Attend Memorial Dedication for Disabled Veterans

by Debra Heine

Sep 21, 2014 2:36 PM PT

For some unexplained reason, the president has declined an invitation to attend a dedication ceremony in October for a new memorial honoring American veterans who have been disabled fighting for their country in wars. 

According to the Washington Free Beacon, the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial (AVDLM) is the first memorial of its kind, and is set to be dedicated during a ceremony on Oct. 5 near the National Mall in downtown Washington, D.C.

The memorial’s organizers say “the memorial will serve as a constant reminder of the cost of human conflict.” 

The Free Beacon reports "according to a source close to the situation" Obama declined the invitation, making him the first president in recent history not to formally accept a new national memorial.

Organizers of the event were caught off guard when informed by the White House of the president’s decision this week and are hoping to receive an explanation from the White House as to why Obama will not be attending the ceremony, according to the source, who is involved with the memorial and was informed of the decision this week.

U.S. presidents have historically been on hand during dedication ceremonies for major memorials in D.C., including the Air Force memorial, the World War II memorial, the Vietnam War memorial, the Korean War memorial, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, which Obama attended and spoke at.

The White House declined to comment when asked by the Washington Free Beacon to confirm if Obama would be unavailable to attend the ceremony.

“It’s disappointing that the president is unable to celebrate the dedication of this historic memorial with the heroes that it honors—our nation’s disabled veterans,” said the source.

The 5th of October falls on a Sunday - which is typically a day this president likes to golf.