President Trump used his State of the Union address Tuesday to recognize a range of American heroes – from Olympic gold-medalists to decorated war veterans.
Trump paused early in his speech to give a “big congratulations to Team USA,” the American hockey stars that defeated Canada over the weekend in the Winter Olympics’ gold-medal game, and announced he would award goalie Connor Helleybuck the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The president said the entire team agreed Helleybuck deserved the honor.
“I told them this and we took a vote of the team. I said, ‘Anybody votes no, I’m not doing it.’ So they stood there and they weren’t about to say no because I’d never seen a goaltender play as well as goalie Connor Helleybuck. I think about 46 shots on goal,” Trump recalled.
“I just want to tell you that the members of this great hockey squad will be very happy to hear, based on their vote and my vote — and in this case, my vote was more important — I will soon be presenting Connor with our highest civilian honor, which he will be given and which has been given to many athletes over the years,” the president announced.
“Great athletes have gotten that … I thought he deserved it,” Trump argued.
Thunderous chants of “USA” and applause broke out after Trump congratulated the men’s Olympic hockey team.
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It was one of the loudest applause of the night, though many Democrats only briefly clapped for them.
Trump also gave a shoutout to the women’s hockey team, but it got less of an applause than the men’s team.
The president then honored World War II veteran George “Buddy” Taggart, who turns 100-years-old on July 4.
Taggart “ volunteered to defend America in World War two, serving in the Pacific under the great General Douglas MacArthur,” Trump said, noting that the veteran “fought bravely in the famous Battle of Manila” and was “badly wounded and almost killed by enemy machine guns and Luzon.”
“And 81 years ago this month, he liberated the largest internment camp in the Philippines, one of the largest anywhere in the world,” Trump said.
“Buddy earned many honors, including a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star, came home, started a family, and tonight, he is in the gallery looking forward to July 4th, 2026, his 100th birthday,” the president announced.
Social media users marveled at Taggart’s accomplishments, as well as his birthday.
“The Spirit of 1776 runs through his veins,” Rep. Addison McDowell (R-NC) wrote on X. “Thank you, Buddy!”
“This man is a natural born patriot,” journalist Nick Sorter posted on the platform.
The president is also expected to honor 100-year-old Korean War veteran E. Royce Williams, a retired Navy captain who shot down four Soviet MiG-15 jets in a classified 1952 operation, with the Medal of Honor later in the evening.
