Umbrella-gate Marine's family thinks the whole thing is a hoot

Marine holding umbrella for Obama is from Apopka
Beth Kassab
Orlando Sentinel Columnist
May 20, 2013

It's true that Marines are not supposed to carry umbrellas in certain uniforms. But Nathan Previti is assigned to a special unit in the White House that handles all kinds of ceremonial duties.

Every now and then a photo of something relatively mundane takes on a life of its own.

Such is the case for the picture of a frowning President Obama looking up at a rainy sky (how's that for a metaphor about recent White House missteps?) while a young Marine stands by with an umbrella.

The kerfluffle has even taken on its own name. Or several. "Umbrella Marine." "Umbrella Scandal." Yes, even "Umbrella-gate."

Well, the Marine has a name too. He's Cpl. Nathan Previti from Apopka.

And while Sarah Palin and Sean Hannity are using the photo of Previti's white-gloved hand dutifully shielding Obama from rain as more "proof" that the president is aloof (can't hold his own umbrella) and disrespectful of the military (doesn't he know Marines aren't supposed to hold umbrellas?), the Previti family thinks the whole thing is a hoot.
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