The Llama Bray- April 16, 2012 (1)

2011 Presidential Citizens Medal Winners

http://www.whitehouse.gov/citizensmedal/2011-winners (Read About ALL the Medal Recipients)

 Follow links next to names to be directed to these amazing individuals websites, please consider donating!  Also click on the "White House Website" tag next to each summary to watch the video interview.

     In the United States of America citizens are given almost limitless freedom and yet most of us consider it, if we consider our freedom at all, to be a luxury best exercised for our ability to live a happy and comfortable life.  The original Lockean theory of a democratically free country revolves around the idea that we are able to govern and care for each other and that government only existed to exploit and oppress that freedom.  Unfortunately many stories and habitual behavior I see today only further exemplifies that the charitable and compassionate nature of humanity is limited, just reference any form of fear, stereotypes, or more commonly the disregard of fellow humans (homeless). However now is not the time for lecturing about human failings but the time to celebrate and regard human exceptionalism!
     My apologies for starting my first cutting edge news story with news that is well around half a year old, and yet I do not feel sorry about it because these 13 Medal Recipients truly inspired and humbled me.  The stories range from Veteran/Military Aid, Literacy Advocacy, Homeless Food Services and Job Training, Womens Pregancy Aid, Environmental Protection, Domestic Abuse/9-11 Grief Counseling, Gay Medical Visitation Rights Advocacy and Women's Self-Defense Training.  Whether or not you agree with these causes, I am not sure why you would appose any of them but your decision, you must respect the time and effort, blood and tears that go into these causes and the the fact that these people actually started their causes by themselves is a lesson that can be learned by us all.  Granted not everyone's cause will grow as big as those recognized by the Citizens Medal but the power of change is far from beyond the grasp of individuals. Below are three of my personal favorite stories of Citizenry from the 2011 Medal recipients.  Please enjoy.

Ida Martin- Bluffton Self Help

"Ida Martin created Bluffton Self Help to assist working families, disabled residents, and senior citizens in the Bluffton, South Carolina area when they suffered a financial crisis. In 2010 alone, Bluffton Self Help provided food to 11,600 people and clothing to almost 9,000 people. Additionally, Bluffton Self Help provided families with short-term emergency financial assistance toward housing and utility assistance, medical assistance, or children's program assistance. Martin receives the Citizens Medal for providing relief to many in moments of despair."--White House Website

John Keaveney- New Directions

"In 1992, John Keaveney, a Vietnam combat veteran, founded New Directions, a home for homeless and disabled veterans with addiction and mental health problems. Keaveney overcame personal struggles and turned his life around in the 1980s. He decided that no veteran who asked for help should suffer what he did. When he began his program, he made a promise that no veteran would leave it unless he had a suit, a place to stay, and an income. Keaveney receives the Citizens Medal for ensuring that America keeps its promises to veterans."--White House Website

 Michelle McIntyre-Brewer- Soldier's List (No Website Found)

"Michelle McIntyre-Brewer is a military spouse, mother, and founder of Soldier's List. She founded Soldier's List in 2003 to support high-risk service members and their families. Soldier's List has sent tens of thousands of care packages around the world providing critical medical relief. McIntyre-Brewer works diligently with the military community to educate families about their rights and responsibilities within Tricare and other services offered. McIntyre-Brewer receives the Citizens Medal for going above and beyond on behalf of our troops and their families."--White House Website