Two Long Islanders – Sandra Lindsay and Father Alexander Karloutsos – were awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in a ceremony from U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday.
Lindsay, a nurse at Northwell Health, headquartered in New Hyde Park, was honored for becoming the first American to receive an approved COVID-19 vaccine and for her continued advocacy for public health equity. Karloutsos – or Father Alex, as he is known – of Southampton was honored for his role as a priest in advising U.S. presidents over the last 50 years.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made exceptionally meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace and cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.
Lindsay and Karloutsos were among the 17 who received the honor. Others include Denzel Washington, Simone Biles, Fred Gray and Steve Jobs.
“The Fourth of July week reminds us what brought us together long ago, and still binds us — binds us at our best, what we strive for,” Biden said at the ceremony. “We the people, doing what we can to ensure that the idea of America, the cause of freedom, shines like the sun to light up the future of the world. That’s the soul of our nation. That’s who we are as Americans.”
“At 18 years old, Sandra Lindsay immigrated to Queens, NY, from Jamaica to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse,” Biden said. “During the height of the pandemic, she poured her heart into helping patients fight for their lives and to keep her fellow nurses safe. And when the time came, she was the first American to become fully vaccinated outside of clinical trials.”
The president went on to say, “Sandra, as I told you before, if there are any angels in heaven, they are all nurses. Sandra’s vaccination card, hospital scrubs and badge are part of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History’s exhibit on COVID-19 and today she receives our nation’s highest civilian honor.”
In honoring Karloutsos, Biden said, “For more than 50 years, your leadership in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has mattered to every prelate in the Greek church,” according to Religion News Service.
“A man of deep moral clarity and calling, you’ve advised generations of presidents and parishioners with unmatched humility and grace.” Biden said.
Those recognized have achieved “impressive accomplishments in the arts and sciences, dedicated their lives to advocating for the most vulnerable among us, and acted with bravery to drive change in their communities – and across the world – while blazing trails for generations to come,” according to a White House Statement.
“During the pandemic, while working with my fellow nurses and colleagues on the frontlines, we waited for that sliver of hope – a vaccine – to help keep us going. It was an honor to raise my hand and volunteer to take the vaccine,” Lindsay said in a statement through Northwell Health. “I am beyond thankful to President Biden for recognizing that momentous day and my continued efforts to end vaccine hesitancy and promote health care for everyone, no matter where you live, who you are, or the color of your skin.”
“It’s what they call amazing grace,” Karloutsos said in an interview with Religion News Service. “You don’t think when you’re in service that you should be honored for something you would have naturally done anyway.”
