WASHINGTON
- Honoring the legacy of John F. Kennedy, President Obama laid a wreath at the assassinated president's gravesite as a nation remembers that terrible day in Dallas a half-century ago tomorrow. Obama also recognized a group of distinguished Americans - including Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey - with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, an award created by Kennedy.
Obama was joined at Arlington National Cemetery yesterday by Clinton, and each president held hands with Ethel Kennedy, widow of Robert F. Kennedy, as they climbed a flight of stairs to the burial site on a steep hillside overlooking the nation's capital.
First lady Michelle Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton helped their husbands place a large wreath of white flowers in front of the roped-off grave site of America's 35th president, which is marked by an ever-burning flame.
The day of tributes began at the White House, where Obama awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 16 living and deceased Americans for their contributions in fields ranging from sports and entertainment to science and public service.
"These are the men and women who in their extraordinary lives remind us all of the beauty of the human spirit, the values that define us as Americans, the potential that lives inside of all of us," Obama said.
Hillary Clinton, daughter Chelsea Clinton and film director Steven Spielberg were among scores of people seated in the White House East Room for the ceremony, which Obama said is "one of my favorite events every year."
Kennedy established the modern version of the medal but was killed by Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963, weeks before he was to honor the inaugural group of recipients. Hundreds of notable figures since have received the honor.
Obama said a few words about each recipient.
Of Clinton, he said the Arkansas Democrat's presidency marked just the start of his work to make the world a better place, crediting his post-presidency humanitarian efforts as helping to save or improve the lives of millions worldwide.
Obama said the late Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, didn't just break the stratospheric glass ceiling. "She blasted right through it," becoming a role model for young girls, he said.
"You can't be what you can't see," Obama said. "Today our daughters, including Malia and Sasha, can set their sights a little bit higher because Sally Ride showed them the way."