Sen. John Warner accepts Good Neighbor Award

On a day the city of Independence celebrated the birthday of Harry S. Truman, a U.S. senator was presented the “Good Neighbor” award named in honor of the past president.

Senator John Warner, R-Virginia, was presented Thursday with the 2008 Harry S. Truman Good Neighbor Award during as luncheon at the Imperial Ballroom of the Muehlebach Tower at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Kansas City. The luncheon was the 56th annual commemorating Truman’s legacy, one born 124 years ago Thursday.

Warner was honored for more than 60 years of public service, including more than three decades in the Senate. Warner’s bipartisan approach to national security and military issues played a part in the selection as well.

“There’s a golden rule in the Senate and that’s you don’t miss votes,” Warner said upon acceptance of the award. “I did it to be here today. I did it for a special reason. I’ve always admired President Truman.”

Warner said his path in life has come full circle with Truman’s, offering tidbits about his time serving in both the Navy in 1945 during World War II and the Marine Corps in 1950 during the Korean War.

“I served under him as commander in chief in the last year of World War II, and I served under him during the Korean War,” Warner said. “There are only a few that have had that privilege.”

The five-term senator and second-longest serving senator in Virginia’s history also credited with help steering his life in the right direction Truman’s vote in the Senate to approve the G.I. Bill, which soldiers used to continue educational opportunities after they served in the armed forces.

“Had it not been for that G.I. Bill,” Warner said, “I would have not had the resources to go to college because of the untimely death of my father. The second G.I. Bill in 1952 got me my law degree. Just stop and think how one man stopped and changed my life.”

The Truman Good Neighbor Award Foundation also presented U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. James M. Amos the 2008 Philip Pistilli Silver Veteran’s Medal. The Veteran’s Medal pays tribute to the duty performed by veterans of war.

“I am honored and humbled to stand her today and receive such a prestigious award,” Amos said. “It truly is a great honor.”

The foundation also recognized 50 international college students studying abroad at area universities.