Loretta Lynn Honored With 2013 Presidential Medal of Freedom

Loretta Lynn was among those honored with the 2013 Presidential Medal of Freedom today (Nov. 20) by President Barack Obama. The nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.
This is one of my favorite events every year,” said President Obama. “This year it’s just a little more special, because this marks the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy establishing this award.”
“Loretta Lynn was 19 the first time she won big at the local fair. Her canned vegetables brought home 17 blue ribbons and made her Canner of the Year. Now that’s impressive,” said President Obama. “For a girl from Butcher Holler, Ky., that was fame. Fortunately for all of us, she decided to try her hand at things other than canning. Her first guitar cost $17 and with it, this Coal Miner’s Daughter gave coice to a generation, singing what no one wanted to talk about and saying what no one wanted to think about. Now, over 50 years after she cut her first record and canned her first vegetables, Lorretta Lynn still reigns as the rule-breaking, record-setting Queen of Country Music.”
Members of the Kennedy family were in attendance: Robert Kennedy’s widow, Ethel Kennedy, and JFK grandson and son of U.S. ambassador Caroline Kennedy, Jack Schlossberg.
More than 500 individuals have been honored with the medal. Additional recipients this year include Oprah Winfrey, Ernie Banks, Ben Bradlee, Bill Clinton, Daniel Inouye (posthumous), Daniel Kahneman, Richard Lugar, Mario Molina, Sally Ride (posthumous), Bayard Rustin (posthumous), Arturo Sandoval, Dean Smith, Gloria Steinem, Cordy Tindell “C.T.” Vivian and Patricia Wald.
The event can be viewed below; Lynn’s portion of the tribute begins at the 6:57 mark and at the 30:08 mark.