Scripps Howard Foundation Wire

WASHINGTON – Tears were spilled at the White House Friday as President Barack Obama recognized 18 people for their contributions to their communities.

Among those to receive the Citizens Medal of Honor, the nation’s second-highest civilian award, were the six adult victims killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December. Family members accepted the awards.

“Today, we honor you,” Obama said. “We celebrate you. And, most of all, we have a chance to say thank you.”

Recipients of the 2012 medals included those involved in health care for children and veterans and those who fought for gay and immigrant rights.

Patience Lehrman, director of Project SHINE in Philadelphia and a medal recipient, said she’s still only getting started on her work helping limited English-speaking immigrants adjust to their communities.

“It is an honor to be here,” Lehrman, who is originally from Cameroon, said in an interview after the ceremony. “This is what America is about. Every person who steps foot in this country has the power to change their destiny.”

In his remarks, Obama said about 6,000 people were nominated for the award.

“You’re the ones receiving it not just for what you do, but for what you represent,” he said. “For the shining example that you set every single day and the inspiration that you give each of us as fellow citizens, including your president.”

Maria Gomez, founder of Mary’s Center in Washington, spent the last 25 years providing health care, education and social services for those in need. She became emotional as she spoke about receiving the award.

“I feel so proud, proud of the people I work with and proud of myself,” she said in an interview in Spanish after the ceremony. She is originally from Columbia. “It’s an honor to get this award during this administration and by this leader, and it’s an honor for our community.”

The six adult victims of the Sandy Hook shooting, Rachel Davino, teacher’s aide; Dawn Hochsprung, school principal; Anne Marie Murphy, teacher; Lauren Rousseau, teacher; Mary Sherlach, school psychologist, and Victoria Soto, teacher, were all awarded the citizens medal.

Other recipients are:

• T. Berry Brazelton, a pediatrician who developed a scale to recognize the physical and neurological responses of newborns
• Adam Burke, an Iraq combat veteran who opened Veterans Farm to help veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder;
• Mary Jo Copeland, founder of Sharing and Caring Hands, a shelter that provides food, clothing, transportation, medical and dental assistance;
• Michael Dorman, founder of Military Missions in Action, a non-profit that provides care for veterans with disabilities;
• Pamela Green Jackson, founder of the Youth Becoming Healthy Project, a non-profit that aims to reduce childhood obesity;
• Janice Jackson, founder of Women Embracing Abilities Now, a non-profit that provides assistance for women with disabilities;
• Jeanne Manford, founder of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, who founded the organization after police failed to intervene when her son was beaten at a gay rights demonstration. Manford died last year, her daughter accepted the award;
• Billy Mills, co-founder of Running Strong for American and Indian Youth, provides health and housing assistance for American Indian communities;
• Terry Shima, World War II veteran and director of the Japanese American Veterans Association, a non-profit, and
• Harris Wofford, a volunteer adviser for Martin Luther King Jr., who served as a U.S. senator from Pennsylvania from 1991 to 1995 and helped form the Peace Corps. He later became the associate director of the Peace Corps.

The deadline to nominate Citizens Medal recipients for 2013 is March 31.