A Long Time Coming

President Obama applauds, from left, Staff Sgt. Melvin Morris, Sgt. 1st Class Jose Rodela, and Spc. Santiago J. Erevia after he awarded them with the Medal of Honor during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, March 18

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24 heroes, 21 deceased, denied recognition by their nation because of racism. Today, Pres. Obama righted the wrong. pic.twitter.com/oZVmH22zHk

— TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) March 18, 2014

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More on the recipients here

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President Obama stands with U.S. Army Staff Sgt. (Ret.) Melvin Morris as his family looks on in the Oval office before a ceremony presenting him with the Medal of Honor

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President Obama greets U.S. Army Specialist Four (Ret.) Santiago J. Erevia in the Oval office

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Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Army Staff Sgt Melvin Morris listens as President Obama details his heroism at WH today pic.twitter.com/4upZrA40Lt

— TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) March 18, 2014

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President Obama hugs Laurie Wegner who accepted the Medal of Honor on behalf of her uncle, Private First Class Leonard M. Kravitz

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President Obama presents Nancy Weinstein with a Medal of Honor for her late husband Army Sergeant Jack Weinstein

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President Obama comforts Lenora Alvarado as he awards a Medal of Honor to her late father Army Specialist Four Leonard Alvarado

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President Obama presents Dominga Perez with a Medal of Honor for her late father Army Private Pedro Cano

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U.S. Army Staff Sgt. (Ret.) Melvin Morris is saluted by U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Christopher Schneider, from U.S. Army Old Guard, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, after a ceremony presenting Morris with the Medal of Honor in the White House

adios, chile

President Obama, accompanied by first lady Michelle Obama, waves before their departure in Santiago, Chile, March 22

guests of honor (video added)

At the official dinner in Santiago, hosted by Chilean President Sebastian Pinera and his wife Cecilia Morel, President Obama offered a toast to his Chilean hosts. He said he and his family and staff, as they flew in this morning on Air Force One, were “struck by the incredible beauty of the Andes”.

“To you, and the people of Santiago and Chile, thank you for the extraordinary hospitality that you have shown both me, Michelle and our daughters. … thank you for the friendship and strong bonds.”

“For many years, this was a symbol of how Chile lost its democracy. Today, it stands as a testament to how Chile regained and rebuilt your democracy. … At a time when others around world are reaching for own rights struggling for their own sense of dignity, Chile sends a powerful message.”

Obama referred directly to the democracy movements in the Middle East and North Africa before offering this thought: “Democracy can’t be imposed from the outside, it must spring from within from the hearts and souls of those who seek it.”

ambassadors

Accompanied by Chilean first lady Cecilia Morel, in white dress, first lady Michelle Obama greets Elizabeth, granddaughter of Chile’s President Sebastian Pinera, after arriving at the Mirador Interactive Museum in Santiago

libya

“I think it’s also important to note that the way that the U.S. took leadership and managed this process ensures international legitimacy and ensures that our partners, members of the international coalition are bearing the burden of following through on the mission, as well. Because, as you know, in the past there have been times where the United States acted unilaterally or did not have full international support, and as a consequence typically it was the United States military that ended up bearing the entire burden.”

Text of remarks here

President Obama leads a briefing on the current situation in Libya, with National Security Advisor Tom Donilon aboard Air Force One, during a secure conference call on the flight from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to Santiago, Chile

a warm chile welcome

Chilean Foreign Minister Alfredo Moreno welcomes U.S. President Barack Obama to Santiago, Chile

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, stand with Chilean President Sebastian Pinera and his wife Cecilia Morel, during the arrival ceremony at La Moneda Palace in Santiago

First ladies Michelle Obama and Cecilia Morel walk together in La Moneda government palace