They're some of the most respected people in the world. On Tuesday,
President Obama handed out 13 coveted awards in the East Room of the
White House.
The president presented the Medal of Freedom to
men and women he calls his "personal heroes" -- basketball coach Pat
Summitt, astronaut John Glenn, former Secretary of State Madeleine
Albright, and rock star Bob Dylan.
"Everybody on this stage has marked my life in profound ways," said President Obama.
The
president told a packed room at the White House that one of the things
that makes the medal of freedom so special is the fact that nobody
actually sets out to win it.
"Nobody ever picks up a guitar or
fights a disease or starts a movement thinking, ‘You know what, if I
keep this up in 2012, I could get a medal in the White House from a guy
named Barack Obama,'" joked the president.
The president said the impact these honorees have had on American culture will continue for years to come.
"Together,
the honorees on this stage and the ones who couldn't be here have moved
us with their words, they have inspired us with their actions, and
enriched our lives, and changed our lives for the better," he said.
The
Medal of Freedom is the nation's highest civilian honor. Other
recipients include former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, civil
rights leader John Doar, and writer Toni Morrison.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:55:39 GMT
Sylvania Township police are investigating the third incident of vandalism at Olander Park in the past two months. Firefighters arrived at the park Monday night to see a small building completely engulfed
Sylvania Township police are investigating the third incident of vandalism at Olander Park in the past two months.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:11 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:11:57 GMT
He was born with a condition that limits his sight, but it's not stopping a local 6th grader from competing on a national level. Jalen Ballard is representing Ohio in a national Braille competition.
He was born with a condition that limits his sight, but it's not stopping a local 6th grader from competing on a national level. Jalen Ballard is representing Ohio in a national Braille competition.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:54 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:54:48 GMT
Two young girls were sleeping on the floor during a summer night, when gunshots burst through their apartment, killing one of them. Now one of the men police say was responsible has rejected a plea deal
Two young girls were sleeping on the floor during a summer night, when gunshots burst through their apartment, killing one of them. Now one of the men police say was responsible has rejected a plea deal in the case.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:00 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:00:32 GMT
From around 11:01 to 11:05, the International Space Station will fly overhead, initially emerging from the northwestern horizon, then departing to the east. The weather should cooperate, with gradual clearing.
From around 11:01 to 11:05, the International Space Station will fly overhead, initially emerging from the northwestern horizon, then departing to the east. The weather should cooperate, with gradual clearing.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:02 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:02:30 GMT
BREAKING: DETROIT (AP) - Chrysler decides to go along with government request to recall 2.7 million older model Jeeps.
Chrysler abruptly agreed to recall 2.7 million older model Jeeps Tuesday, reversing a defiant stance and avoiding a possible public relations nightmare over fuel tanks that can rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
The search continues for a missing East Toledo girl. In the midst of the search, another missing children's case in our area is getting national attention. The Toledo Blade’s Danielle Trubow has the details.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:36 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:36:03 GMT
A former Wood County park ranger will spend more than four years behind bars. John Millinger was arrested in 2009 after police say he put an I-Pod with a video recorder behind a "No Smoking" sign in a
A former Wood County park ranger will spend more than four years behind bars. John Millinger was arrested in 2009 after police say he put an I-Pod with a video recorder behind a "No Smoking" sign in a women's restroom at a public park.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:13 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:13:14 GMT
A Sylvania man has entered a plea of not guilty to several charges of possession of child pornography. Donald Martens was arraigned Tuesday morning in Lucas County Common Pleas Court. Martens is
A Sylvania man has entered a plea of not guilty to several charges of possession of child pornography. Donald Martens was arraigned Tuesday morning in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:07 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:07:47 GMT
The Great Gatsby recently took the box office by storm, and now you have a chance to spend an evening living the grand lifestyle, and the best part about it is that you'll be helping others! The fourth
The fourth annual "Cocktails for the Cure" is this Thursday at the Toledo Country Club. The party will feature an evening of "Gatsby Glamour."
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