The stories are all different, but one theme remains constant. Each of you had a choice between taking action or looking away. Between confronting fear or giving into it. Between self-interest or the safety of others. You are here today because you made a decision and chose the much harder path.
Many people mistake courage for fearlessness.
They are not the same. Fearlessness is reckless. It is realizing that there is danger and rising above it. But there is never any guarantee that an action no matter how heroic will end successfully. Our thoughts turn to those who are not with us today especially to the three people who are receiving this award posthumously, two of whom are children.