Presidential Medal Of Freedom Recipients (PHOTOS)

President Obama handed out the Presidential Medals of Freedom today, one of the highest civillian awards in the United States.

The award, which is presented each year to new recipients, is the highest award in the land, about as prestigious as the Congressional Gold Medal. Tracing its roots President Truman (it was used to honor civillian service in WWII), the prize was officially reinstated by JFK in 1963 with a greater prestige and purpose.

The President himself picks the Medal of Freedom recipients, though he may also make his decision based on recommendations.

This year's recipients include Former President George H.W. Bush, author/poet Maya Angelou, and basketball great Bill Russell.

For a full list of Medal winners, and pictures of them receiving the award, check out the slideshow below.

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President H.W. Bush

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Comments

[john blahuta]

06:24 PM on 04/06/2011

this guy, bush sr., started the whole mess we are in.......

[jim athome]

07:35 PM on 03/04/2011

I cannot understand the selection of former President Bush????????? Is President Obama trying to persuade someone?????

[capeman2]

12:07 AM on 04/16/2011

He's a great man and a great American and that's why BHO gave him the award.

[Marcospinelli]

02:29 AM on 02/17/2011

Obama lauds Barbara Bush's "decency", which "reflects the best of the American spirit".

[Marcospinelli]

03:38 PM on 02/16/2011

http://www.consortiumnews.com/archive/xfile.html

With special attention to this.

[Waterlooboy]

04:08 PM on 02/16/2011

When I see this totally unsubstantiated drivel in a reputable new source, I might give it a second look.

[Marcospinelli]

04:14 PM on 02/16/2011

That's what you're seeing -- A reputable source.  And sourced.

[whirlybird]

12:36 PM on 04/07/2011

Keep telling it, Marco. You're one of my very favorites here.

[SamSeven]

02:44 PM on 02/16/2011

Oh come, he is giving a medal to war criminal! This is a bizarro world we live in.

[Waterlooboy]

04:10 PM on 02/16/2011

I have more of a problem with John Sweeney. Did nothing to make America better.

[wuzupwidat]

01:56 PM on 02/16/2011

It's completely amazing to see Barrack Obama and George H.W. Bush together in the same photograph. Who's holding Obama's strings?

[Mike from NYC]

01:52 PM on 02/16/2011

I wonder if Bush Sr. thinks Obama was born in the US. If he does, he should say it without the caveats like the current crop of Republicans.

[Marcospinelli]

03:31 PM on 02/16/2011

Seriously, Mike, who gives a chit?

You see a photograph like this, of Obama honoring a war criminal, a man who committed treason, and all you can think of is a group of Republicans who question the vetting of presidential candidates?  

Obama plays ball with these people.  He doesn't care that they question his qualifications for the office.  It's a great distractor, it helps him appear generous and even-keeled while he satisfies their agenda and gives away the store to them.

[Waterlooboy]

04:12 PM on 02/16/2011

What about honoring John Sweeney. Actually thinks it's a good idea to unionize government workers. What a disgrace.

[Supersteel]

12:40 PM on 02/16/2011

Very nice words Pres. Obama had about Pres. Bush. We could all use a lesson in coming together as a country and how political disagrements aren't the end all and be all of personal respect and friendship. Most of my friends are different politically than me. It has no bearing.
 
and one day Pres. Obama will get one from one of his successors. Which is nice. Peaceful transfer of power and people we politically disagree with are not the enemy.

[Supersteel]

01:53 PM on 02/16/2011

You're part of the problem.

[jsgaetano]

01:33 PM on 02/16/2011

Yes, it's so nice seeing Obama carry on his fetish for Republicans.

[Supersteel]

01:53 PM on 02/16/2011

Most of his successors were so what are you gonna do.

[faith]

12:37 PM on 02/16/2011

Sorta like President Obama getting the Nobel Peace Prize.

[PsylliPig]

12:34 PM on 02/16/2011

Oh yeah. And the ship sails on, more or less. Actually less.

[JackHoffman]

11:37 AM on 02/16/2011

Bush Sr. should be imprisoned if only solely for his illegal shenanigans while head of the CIA., Panama anyone?

[Majorbob53]

01:29 PM on 02/16/2011

I was stationed in Panama before, during and after "Just Cause." Noreiga was a thug who stole elections and beat up his political rivals. His men held my daughter and other kids in a school bus on a hot airport runway for 5 hours. I'm a democrat, and a military officer; Mr Bush did the right thing in Panama.

[JackHoffman]

02:26 PM on 02/16/2011

Why were you in Panama?

[jsgaetano]

01:34 PM on 02/16/2011

And he's never been held accountable for his role in the Kennedy assassination either.

[Supersteel]

05:00 PM on 02/16/2011

lol

[Pamwings]

10:54 AM on 02/16/2011

Hello? What are the Bushes also related to Obama like Cheney, who is a distant cousin? I want to believe in Obama, but when he does things like this it's like finding out there is no Santa Claus!

[madatnewsmedia]

11:14 AM on 02/16/2011

There is no santa claus anyway! And what does this have to do with anything?

[jsgaetano]

01:35 PM on 02/16/2011

Obama is a far right shill.  It's perfectly obvious.  It's not like he's ever put effort into hiding the fact, either.

[deltalady]

10:51 AM on 02/16/2011

Don't be scared, old man...he isn't picking your pocket...old fool.

[AP209]

10:13 AM on 02/16/2011

Here in St. Louis, EVERYONE has been talkign about Stan the Man! I'm too young to know what it was like watching him or Ozzy Smith play, but it's an honor to see that someone like Stan given a medal like that!!

[Rick Shorrock]

09:41 AM on 02/16/2011

Well, Obama would be correct if he declared about the medal "It was all Bush's fault!"