The LBJ foundation honors Arizona Senator and war veteran John McCain
The Lydon B. Johnson Foundation presented its most prestigious award Friday evening to U.S. Senator John McCain, of Arizona. McCain was honored for his service to our country both politically and in the military where he fought during the Vietnam War.
Lynda Johnson Robb and Luci Baines Johnson, daughters of President Lyndon B. Johnson, presented the award to his daughter Meghan McCain. She accepted the LBJ Liberty and Justice for All Award on behalf of her father, whose health kept him from traveling.
John McCain announced last year he had been diagnosed with brain cancer.
Meghan said accepting the award was a bitter sweet moment for her. "It's overwhelming I am here because my dad asked me to be here. And I wish he was here instead. I think fighting for liberty is obviously something that's very close to my heart and is something my dad has done his entire career. And I think right now we are living in a time that is so polarized so emotionally so politically charged it's important to remember we all believe in liberty and freedom," said Meghan McCain.
President of the LBJ Foundation Mark Updegrove said McCain was an easy pick because of his bravery and said he's a hero who's believed in his country. Everything the award represents.
"It embodies the legacy of LBJ which is ultimately about serving fellow Americans and John Lewis is a great example of that and so is John McCain. We live in an era where there aren't a lot of hero's that we can all agree on. It's hard not to agree that John McCain is a great patriot and great hero who spent much of his life devoted to serving his fellow Americans and that's something we should all celebrate," said Updegrove.
Past recipients of the award include former presidents George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter.