 It's a pleasure to have all of you here today to honor some of our fellow Americans who've made a difference Americans who represent the very best of our country in my first inaugural I said those who say that we're in a time when there are no heroes Just don't know where to look Well, I've been blessed over the years with having had the opportunity to meet many American heroes and to get to know The truly admirable people who make up our land Sometimes because we spend so much time and energy on trying to solve our country's problems We lose sight of the fundamental strength of character that abounds in our citizens. I Recently visited Europe and a great deal was said about the Marshall Plan Something Winston Churchill called the most unsorted act in history Those of us who live through and understand how simple it would have been For us to have come home after the war and let the rest of the world fend for itself Our people after all it sacrificed life and wealth to save mankind And we could have easily justified sitting back and enjoying ourselves and our prosperity When in the days following World War two Pope Pius XII said The American people have a genius for great and unselfish deeds Into the hands of America God has placed an afflicted mankind Well, we didn't shirk the great responsibility that was thrust upon us for four decades We've carried a heavy load of leadership It's been four decades of peace in Europe and four decades of economic growth and prosperity for the Western democracies American people were inspired to carry this heavy load to do what was right rather than what was easy By individuals like the ones that we honor today Among Thomas Carlisle's many works is a book about heroes and heroism In it he pointed out the hero can be a poet a prophet king Priest or what you will According to the kind of world he finds himself born into Well heroes in America Reflect the positive and uplifting values of our people That's why we call today's awards Medals of freedom The Medal of Freedom Award, which we bestow on our Americans today is this country's top civilian honor The list of former recipients contains the names of military heroes like General Omar Bradley But also the names of distinguished individuals like Dr. Jonas saw Jesse own Walt Disney Helen Keller and others Today's recipients are of the same caliber They exemplify the ideals of America. They have excelled in the arts They have written works that touched our hearts. They've made us laugh They've helped make our country more secure and provided for the less fortunate They're some of America's best and today. We're proud to award them the medals of freedom And now it's my pleasure to announce this year's awardees and Legendre Armstrong Since her earliest days in grassroots politics and Armstrong has been an intrepid fighter for the cause of freedom and liberty and against the intrusions of big government Her great talents and capacity for work Catapulted around to the national political scene where she has served her party and nation with distinction Holding high offices in both Her great skill and unstinting effort in the service of her country have earned her the gratitude of our nation Justin Dart and it will be received by Mrs. Justin Dart his wife a Leading entrepreneur Justin Dart has made vital contributions to America that will long be remembered Considered a revolutionary by his trade He was already head of the largest drug company in the world at the age of 35 and His sure hand would soon transform the business Justin Dart became a leading force in politics and an advisor to the president Valued not only for his business acumen, but his courageous championing of political and economic liberty Justin Dart's life stands as eloquent testimony to the creative force of freedom Danny Kay and it will be received by his daughter Miss Dina Kay an entertainer Humanitarian and an individual who lifted the spirit of his fellow countrymen His enthusiasm for life infected all who saw him he spread laughter and goodwill Touching the hearts of people throughout the world especially young people He was a true professional a star of film stage television and radio His dedication to helping less fortunate children is also remembered He was a good man a pro cared an example of the best in America's soul and He will always be remembered round the world by millions of children for his unselfish willingness To serve every time the UN called upon him to do so Lyman L. Lemnitzer a brave and dedicated military officer who served our nation in peace and war General Lemnitzer skill is a tactician planner and Negotiator was instrumental in the Second World War. He fought in Korea He served as US commander-in-chief in Europe and eventually became the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff his life has been one marked by high military skill and unselfish devotion to his country John A. McCone as director of central intelligence between 1961 and 1965 John A. McCone guided our nation's intelligence community through some of its most difficult hours He strengthened the nation's critical capacity for effective intelligence operations Maintained the intelligence community's reputation for unbiased analysis and played an active role in policy debates Integrity patriotism These qualities have marked his long and distinguished service to our nation Frederick D. Patterson for five decades as president and president emeritus of Tuskegee Institute Dr. Frederick D. Patterson has been one of America's outstanding educators He is also the founder of the United Negro College Fund and the College Endowment Funding Plan and Through these he has helped finance excellence throughout America's community of historically black colleges By his inspiring example of personal excellence and unselfish dedication He has taught the nation that in this land of freedom No mind should be allowed to go to waste Nathan Perlmutter and His will be received by his wife Ruth Perlmutter in the diary of a cancer patient Nathan Perlmutter wrote Funny what I feel I've accomplished. I married the prettiest girl. I made it to Marine infantry officer Wrote a few books and became director of the Anti-Defamation League That casual self-deprecating voice is the voice of a hero for mr. Perlmutter has made it his life's work To champion human dignity. He is a hero indeed a hero of the human spirit Mitzvah Rostropovich He once jokingly asked his mother Why she had carried him longer than the usual nine months Slava she answered to give you such beautiful hands Performing teaching and conducting the beautiful hands of Mitzvah Rostropovich have shared with millions His passion for music especially the music of the homeland. He has never ceased to love He is a virtuoso not only of music, but of heart and mind as well William B. Walsh M.D Dr. William B. Walsh has spent a lifetime giving hope to others for 14 years in ports around the world Millions cheered the ship that dr. Walsh's dreams launched the SS hope Medical care and training These were the hopes cargo together with a message of goodwill from all Americans Today project hope has stepped ashore and dr. Walsh is reaching people wherever there is need and As always is giving of himself so that others might find hope He is a credit to his profession and to his country Meredith Wilson and his will be received by Mrs. Wilson Our country knows Meredith Wilson as the composer lyricist whose Musicals and songs capture the joy and innocence of America Meredith Wilson's career embraced the musical life of his nation His greatest hits the music man and the unsinkable Molly Brown Will forever stand as landmarks of the Broadway stage As one critic said his music is as American as apple pie and a 4th of July oration He will always be remembered affectionately and with respect for his virtuosity as our music man and I Will always remember him because as an old ex-Lieutenant of horse cavalry World War two he wrote a song for the cavalry. I Know that you're as proud as we are to have all of these people with us and that Concludes our ceremony here, but it doesn't conclude our feeling of thanks for these people