President Barack Obama turns 49 today. Happy Birthday Mr. President! But the celebration at the White House that really deserves attention today is the announcement of the recipients of The Citizens Medal.
The Citizens Medal is the second highest civilian honor in our nation. For over 40 years, some of America’s most respected heroes and public figures like Muhammad Ali, Colin Powell and Bob Dole, and everyday heroes like Oseola McCarty, a washerwoman who left her entire life savings to establish a scholarship for students in need, have received this award.
This year the White House solicited nominations for the medal directly from the general public and narrowed them down to 13 recipients who have done great things in their community. See who they are and what they did here. Isn’t it wonderful to see people acknowledged for good works?
It occurs to me that these ought to be the the celebrities of our society. I am not diminishing what pop and movie stars or those who play professional sports do, and I am not criticizing them for going after every penny they can get. The entertainment industry is a multibillion dollar industry, as is professional sports, so performers and players want their share. It’s too bad that fans pay the ticket prices, but that’s the way it is.
What I am saying is that it would be great if the community volunteer also became a big star and got paid a fortune in endorsements! I believe that we, as a society, have a tendency to look down on these people, thinking them foolish. We shake our heads at how they’ll have no nest egg for retirement and will work until their 102. Even I have felt that. I sometimes feel as if I have to apologize for my extended Peace Corps service and my work with non-profits, even thought I derive great satisfaction from both and am proud of what I accomplished. Doing things that way has matched my personal priorities. Even now, as I search for a job, opportunities present themselves and I’m not sure I want them. The opportunity to build something and to make a difference is what satisfies me, and a big salary for something that wouldn’t make me happy worries me.
But back to the matter at hand. It is exciting to see do-gooders held up as heros. Wouldn’t it be great if they got endorsement deals and the like. Anyway, congratulations to:
Roberta Diaz Brinton, Los Angeles, CA
Daisy M. Brooks, Chicago, IL
Betty Kwan Chinn, Eureka, CA
Cynthia M. Church, Wilmington, DE
Susan Retik Ger, Needham, MA
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Kimberly McGuiness, Cave Spring, GA
Jorge Muñoz, New York City, NY
Lisa Nigro, Chicago, IL
MaryAnn Phillips, Star Valley Ranch, WY
Elizabeth Cushman Titus Putnam, Shaftsbury, VT
Myrtle Faye Rumph, Inglewood, CA
Geo. J. Weiss, Jr., Marine, MN
Read what they were recognized for.