Did you know Gloria and Emilio Estefan received the Presidential Medal of Freedom? How many out there actually know who they are? :)

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 23:46:25 -0500

President Barack Obama draped the Presidential Medal of Freedom around the necks of Gloria and Emilio Estefan Tuesday, honoring the iconic couple's contributions to American music.

The Estefans were part of a star-studded group of Americans - musicians, entertainers, filmmakers, sports heroes, politicians, government leaders and a NASA mathematician - who received what is considered the highest civilian honor.

"Some worried they were too American for Latins and too Latin for Americans," Obama said about the Estefans before the medals were awarded. "Turns out everybody just wanted to dance and do the conga."

"Conga" was a 1985 hit song written and sung by Gloria and performed by the band Miami Sound Machine, the Estefan's band.

Both born in Cuba, the two are considered key in helping bring Latin sounds to the American mainstream and pop music scenes. Both are multiple Grammy winners. Gloria holds seven and Emilio, who also is a music producer holds 19.

"Together their fusion sound has sold more than 100 million records," Obama said. "And as proud Cuban Americans they've promoted their cultural heritage and inspired fans all over the world."

Obama had a little fun with the recipients during the White House ceremony. He told Barbara Streisand he didn't know she was Jewish and joked that everybody considers James Taylor their friend because "that's what happens when you spend four decades telling people, just call out my name and I'll come runnin'.'"

Obama was quoting a lyric of "You Got a Friend," a song written by Carole King and later sung by Taylor.

For the Estefans, he shared their story of how they met. It was 1975, Obama said, and Gloria walked into a wedding reception and saw a handsome, young man named Emilio, playing "Do the Hustle" on an accordion.

"I'm quoting now," Obama said, chuckling as he tried to deliver the punch line. "She said she found this sexy and brave." Obama then said, "I can understand the brave," to much laughter.

Just before the medal was given to them, Emilio was credited with creating a wholly new American sound and Gloria was feted as a "music powerhouse" whose music broke down barriers.

Most recently, the couple made the song and video "We're All Mexican" in protest of the campaign rhetoric of Donald Trump.

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/gloria-emilio-estefan-receive-presidential-medal-freedom-n469206

Gloria and Emilio Estefan Receive Presidential Medal of Freedom

President Barack Obama draped the Presidential Medal of Freedom around the necks of Gloria and Emilio Estefan Tuesday, honoring the couple's contribut

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Nov 28 at 2015 12:03 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 00:03:02 -0500

I know Gloria is a singer,

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Nov 28 at 2015 1:11 AM

TSgt Kenneth Ellis — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 01:11:37 -0500

The Miami sound machine.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2015 1:21 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 01:21:01 -0500

I wasn't following why the President was recognizing them with the Medal of Freedom 25 years after their careers effectively ended until the last sentence of the story.
Now it makes sense.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Nov 28 at 2015 6:30 AM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 06:30:50 -0500

Another garbage award that means nothing. Sort of like the Nobel Peace Prize.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2015 7:38 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 07:38:05 -0500

Presidential Medal of Freedom for Musicians, Sports Heroes, Filmmakers...etc. Really? And all this time I thought the medal actually had some substance? Next, the Medal of Freedom will be awarded to the best dance group or the Nathan's hot dog eating champion!

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Nov 28 at 2015 9:19 AM

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 09:19:56 -0500

My initial reaction was anger, given the title is "Freedom." After reviewing a couple of web searches, it seems it is also awarded to those who have had a cultural impact. Seems what Brother Harry S Truman first established had evolved into what we know today. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom

Presidential Medal of Freedom - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award bestowed by the President of the United States and is—along with the comparable Congressional Gold Medal, bestowed by an act of U.S. Congress—the highest civilian award of the United States. It recognizes those individuals who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private...

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Nov 28 at 2015 6:57 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 18:57:01 -0500

I have no problem with such people getting recognition but the nation's highest civilian award?

Response by 1SG Nick Baker made Nov 28 at 2015 9:21 PM

1SG Nick Baker — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 21:21:20 -0500

GEN Powell has two