Drum major suspended for waving at Obama

Drum major suspended for waving at Obama
Yesterday, 07:12 pm

A drum major who waved at President Barack Obama was brought to tears Tuesday over his six-month suspension from an Ohio marching band.

Have your say: Barack Obama
"Six months is pretty harsh, I think," firefighter John Coleman told Newsnet 5.

But the Cleveland Firefighter's Memorial Pipes & Drums band leader said even a glance is out of bounds for marching bands in a parade marking the inauguration of a president.

"We had gone over and over time and again with everyone in the band that this was a military parade. Protocol and proper decorum had to be followed at all times," band leader Mike Engle told the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

"Unfortunately, John chose to ignore that."

Other bands complained about Coleman's gesture, and the burly fire inspector -- who has been in the band for 17 years -- was told of his suspension on the bus home from Washington.

"He has to abide by the rules," Engle said. "It had to be done."

Coleman defended his actions and said he would do it again, despite the consequences.

"I just happened to glance over and made eye contact with the president and just gave a nod acknowledging him and just a slight wave," Coleman said.

"With the president, you know, I just could not ignore him."

"I just happened to glance over and made eye contact with the president and just gave a nod acknowledging him and just a slight wave," Coleman said.

dey military na for children. if u put me in any form of the military, somebody will shoot me soon morning-i mun na wave at barrack-i beg mehn.

whenever i went to afl activities, i expected my pekin to wave or laugh when he saw me but he was always serious lek dogkiller.

krazzy wrote:

"I just happened to glance over and made eye contact with the president and just gave a nod acknowledging him and just a slight wave," Coleman said.

dey military na for children. if u put me in any form of the military, somebody will shoot me soon morning-i mun na wave at barrack-i beg mehn.

whenever i went to afl activities, i expected my pekin to wave or laugh when he saw me but he was always serious lek dogkiller.

hahahaha.. i telling you oh... the seriousness cant be easy...
6 months was too harsh mehn

i know mehn.. i wud have done a big wave and no slight one..

and the 6 months is too much.. what's their reason.. he missed a beat or what?

Americans are waaaaay to comfortable with and reliant on systems...they have no capacity any longer for applying simple common sense to things. The man been in the band for 17 years and therefore is probably one of the better drummers and you suspend him for something like that??? Fvck that dumb sh*t!! I would have waved and hollered "Wassup Mr. President!"

If he was suspended for waving, I wonder what will happen if some bend the butt to the president.

Tabay!

tabay too small T, he'll be lcoked up and the key thrown away...

LadyFlo wrote:

i know mehn.. i wud have done a big wave and no slight one..

and the 6 months is too much.. what's their reason.. he missed a beat or what?

Me too, I wud even jump up and down to be seen