Afghanistan's IAM 'heartened' to hear killed member will receive U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom

Afghanistan's IAM 'heartened' to hear killed member will receive U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom

2010-11-22 21:37:51 GMT+7 (ICT)

KABUL (BNO NEWS) -- The International Assistance Mission (IAM) on Monday said it is 'heartened' to read that Dr. Tom Little will receive the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom, several months after he was killed by the Taliban.

U.S. President Barack Obama announced last week the fifteen recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the nation's highest civilian honor presented to individuals who made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the Untied States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

Dr. Tom Little was among this small group of people, which included former U.S. President George H. W. Bush. U.S. Congressman John Lewis, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"These outstanding honorees come from a broad range of backgrounds and they've excelled in a broad range of fields, but all of them have lived extraordinary lives that have inspired us, enriched our culture, and made our country and our world a better place," Obama said when naming the recipients. "I look forward to awarding them this honor."

"The International Assistance Mission (IAM) is heartened to read that Dr Tom Little will receive the US 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom," said Warrick Gilbert, spokesman for the organization.

Little was a member of IAM until his death in August when he was murdered by the Taliban along with nine other members of his team. They were returning from a humanitarian mission to provide vision care in the remote Parun valley of Nuristan province.

"He had been working in Afghanistan for 34 years, together with his wife they raised their family here" said Gilbert. "He was an optometrist who stayed in Afghanistan through much of the turmoil, running the NOOR eye care programme that has treated around 5 million Afghans since 1966."

Gilbert said the organization is very appreciative that the work and sacrifice of the team has been recognized by many, but also asked to remember the others who died in the attack. "We would also like to remember the work of all those who died, particularly Dan Terry who was a very good friend of Tom and had also lived, worked, and raised his family here for over 30 years," he said.

"While we are delighted that the work of NOOR and Dr Tom Little has been commended, many here still mourn the loss of so many family members and good friends," he added.

The awards will be presented at a White House ceremony early next year.

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