DEAR EDITOR:

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award that the President of the United States can bestow upon a citizen. The award is given to a person who has made exceptional contributions to the security of national interests of America, to world peace or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

Two men were sitting in the same row during President Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday.

One, a former Eagle Scout and fighter pilot that fought in three wars — World War II, Korea and Vietnam; had 409 combat missions, one of the highest combat total by any Air Force pilot; was awarded the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star and the Air Medal with 25 Oak Leaf Clusters; and served as a Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, a unit that distinguished itself despite the racial bigotry in the Armed Forces at that time that believed men of color could not fight.

The other was a draft dodger during Vietnam that got a deferment for a cyst on his behind; an anti-drug crusader who was addicted to drugs; a climate change denier who stated that women who fight for their rights are “Feminazis”; has said the existence of gorillas disproves the theory of evolution; a radio personality who stated that women saying “no” really means “yes” if men know how recognize it in sexual consent and that Michael J. Fox is faking Parkinson’s and Iraqi war veterans against that war are phony soldiers.

One received the Medal of Freedom.

IAN McALEER

Cortland