update...forboding and prescient
if you read the NYT article it ends with reference to John Kael Weston, a former State Department officer imploring the President to present the Presidential Unit Citation during a ceremony held in honor of 2nd MEB, Sept. 14.
“Next month, Marines will gather at Camp Lejeune, N.C., to receive the PUC award. Secretary of the Navy Mabus is set to present it. While an honor, I know Marines hope you opt not to delegate the day’s special gathering to someone else. I feel the same way given ongoing Marine and troop sacrifice in Afghanistan.”
Weston added: “Please pardon my bluntness: I believe it is simply the right thing to do.”
and Roger Cohen suggesting that he ought to attend but wondering if political calculations might dictate otherwise...
"
Obama needed more people in the Situation Room saying, “Please pardon my bluntness.” Having sent the Marines in (and concluded a Camp Lejeune speech in 2009 with “Semper Fi”) he should indeed present the award himself."
I guess he wondered right...I can't find any evidence that he attended
Secretary of the Navy awards 2nd MEB with Presidential Unit Citation > II Marine Expeditionary Force > News Article
maybe it conflicted with Letterman or Nickolodeon or that guy in the Pirate Suit, The VIEW, Beyonce or JayZ....so many things to do...so little time