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Trump lauds Medal of Honor recipients

President Trump praised the courage of Medal of Honor recipients at the White House Wednesday, saying they've made a "lasting mark" on the nation.  

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration bestowed to a member of the armed forces for bravery in combat. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society keeps records of past recipients. According to their count, there are 72 living Medal of Honor recipients, out of 3,503 who have received the award. Mr. Trump said nearly half of those recipients were present Wednesday evening. 

"Each of you went above and beyond the call of duty," Mr. Trump said. 

The president praised the recipients as the strongest, bravest and finest in the nation. "See? My ego's not that big," he joked.

Mr. Trump said his administration is respecting, and treating, veterans better than any past administrations. 

"We're loving our veterans honestly I think more than ever before," he said. 

Last month, Mr. Trump awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor to an Air Force sergeant who died in an attempt to save a Navy SEAL in Afghanistan in 2002. 

The president often praises the military, and has said he is making the military stronger than it ever was before. 

Mr. Trump will deliver remarks to the society before heading off to fundraisers in support of the Trump Victory Fund benefitting both the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee. 

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