White house apologise after refusing tour for wearing shorts
White House apologise after refusing tour for wearing shortsThe White House apologised for turning the family of a Medal of Honor recipient away from an exclusive tour last week because the late veteran's 10-year-old grandson was wearing shorts.
Vernon Baker, the last surviving black Medal of Honor winner from World War II, was buried yesterday at Arlington National Cemetery after dying in July from complications of brain cancer at age 90.
Yesterday, his widow and grandson went to the White House for a special tour of the West Wing, which includes the Oval Office and rooms that are in use.
The staffer who was to lead the family wasn't sure whether 10-year-old Vernon 's attire shorts and a T-shirtu00a0 was considered appropriate, officials said.
"This is an unfortunate misunderstanding," White House spokesman Adam Abrams said.
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"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 to communicate our deep regret and invite them back to the White House."
The office of Senator Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, is working with the Baker family to help them return to the White House, said press secretary Susan Wheeler.
"We want to make sure they are comfortable," added Wheeler.
