Famed and beloved performer Sir Elton John made a stop at the White House last week in the middle of his farewell tour to perform an outdoor show on the main lawn.
When it was finished, President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden surprised him with a prestigious and honorable award to thank him for all the advocacy work he's done.
After a stellar performance, as expected from him of course, President Joe Biden surprised the singer with a prestigious award, the National Humanities Medal.
"I'm never flabbergasted, but I'm flabbergasted," John said.
Biden revealed that he and his wife invited John there to honor him "for moving our souls with his powerful voice and one of the defining song books of all time. An enduring icon and advocate with absolute courage, who found purpose to challenge convention, shatter stigma and advance the simple truth -- that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect."
As he said himself after receiving the award, "I will treasure this so much and will make me double my efforts to make sure this disease goes away. America's kindness to me as a musician is second to none, but in the war against AIDS and HIV it's even bigger and I can't thank you enough. I'm really, really emotional about this. Thank you."
"It’s been emotional for me to be recognized for the achievements of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Since I founded the Foundation at my kitchen table in Atlanta 30 years ago, I made a commitment not to leave anyone behind and will continue on this mission," he explained.
"We are striving for a future where people of all races, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, and gender identities have the opportunity to live free from AIDS, stigma, injustice and maltreatment – and I’m so grateful recognition likes this brings us a step closer to making that a reality."
h/t: ET
