Pushing Cushing

When 94-year-old Delafield, Wisconsin, resident Margaret Zerwekh found herself living on property once owned by the family of 1st Lt. Alonzo Cushing (IMAGE ABOVE), she spent the next several decades lobbying to have him awarded the nation's highest military honor. Cushing fought bravely in the Civil War, was wounded several times during the Battle of Gettysburg, and died on the battlefield at the age of 22 on July 3, 1863. Her efforts – which included pushing Congress to pass legislation suspending the time limit by which a person can posthumously be awarded the Medal of Honor – have only just been rewarded. After pointing out Zerwekh's determination and persistence, President Obama joked during the ceremony, "And what’s more, she even managed to bring Republicans and Democrats together to make this happen. Margaret, we may call on you again sometime in the next several months."

Posted with Blogsy