Medal of Freedom Awarded to American Heroes

President Barack Obama recently awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 17 of the nation’s most accomplished artists, sportsmen, civic leaders and citizens. The award is the nation’s highest civilian honor and is presented to Americans who have made remarkable contributions to the “the security or national interest of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or significant public or private endeavors.” “These men and women have enriched our lives and helped define our shared experience as Americans.” (President Obama, whitehouse.gov)

This year’s recipients come from a cross section of fields which vividly reflect our nation’s diversity culture, politics, athletics and arts. Recipients include Sen Barbara Mikulski, one of the longest serving women in Congress, who received the honor for her promotion of equal pay, her fight for affordable higher education and her efforts to promote investment in research and innovation. Other politicians and Civic leaders include the late Shirley Chisholm, Minoru Yasui and Billy Frank Jr. Artists and Entertainers receiving the award include Barbara Streisand, Stephen Sondheim, Emilio and Gloria Estefan, James Taylor and Steven Spielberg. Willie Mays and the late Yogi Berra are two of Baseball’s Hall of Fame members receiving the honor this year. Past recipients of the Medal of Freedom include former President Bill Clinton, activist Gloria Steinem and talk show host Oprah Winfrey. For a complete list of this year’s recipients and prior awardees visit the White House’s List of the Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients. To honor the heroes and leaders in your community consider one of Carrot-Top’s beautiful business gifts. These gifts take patriotism to next level and allow you to share your love of our nation with those who inspire us to build a stronger and better nation. Browse our collection of patriotic and assorted business gifts for the perfect item for your hero.