“If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually you’ll make progress.” — Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States of America

ONE SHINING MOMENT 

For Curtis Butler III, it could be appropriately described as a personal Super Bowl moment, of sorts.

“I’m receiving this prestigious award for outstanding veteran and community leadership, recognizing my displaying of exceptional leadership within the local and national communities, leading initiatives, projects, or organizations that have positively and enduringly impacted community well-being and development,” Butler III, during a recent interview with Making Headline News, said, recalling the memorable developments surrounding arguably his grandest milestone to date.

The award to which Butler III is alluding is The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, an achievement he will garner during an official ceremony April 20 at The Grand Baltimore at 2 p.m. EST.

Generally, The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award is widely considered one of the highest honors presented to individuals who have overcome significant obstacles to achieve impressive accomplishments, thus dedicated their lives to advocating for the most vulnerable among humanity and acted with bravery to drive change in their communities — and across the world — while blazing trails for generations to come.

Powered the Hendricks Hope Foundation — the beneficiary of the proceeds from this event — this organization will recognize Butler III, an esteemed District 13 resident and Iraq War Veteran for his valiant contributions to his community and country.

In December 2012, Butler III carved out his own dose of history when the former homeless veteran garnered widespread national praise for paying power bills for members of community ahead of the holiday season.

Butler III’s favorable deeds earned mentions by various national media outlets, most notably CNN, ABC,

The Huffington Post, and Yahoo News, among others.

Much to his delight, Butler III received with what is suitably known as Giving Like A King Honors Veteran, an accolade that was presented by renowned entertainment couple, T.I. and Tiny.

Interestingly enough, Butler III’s notable community contributions include sponsoring haircuts for more than 350 residents, as well as homeless and displaced veterans.

“I rented out three different barbershops for the holidays to let them know you’re they are not forgotten,” Butler III told MHN.

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Said East Point, Georgia-based politician Karen Rene of Butler III’s valiant contributions in an April 6 post via Facebook: “Your dedication and service are an inspiration to us all.

As Butler III recalls, he first learned he had emerged as a recipient for The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in early-February, news that created a fervent buzz across various message boards and social media platforms.

“Once word got out that I was nominated for this prestigious award, my (Instagram) followers sent much love,” Butler III, a native of Charleston, South Carolina, recalls. “And I got many congratulatory shout outs from

family and friends, veterans, celebrities, and strangers.

Having spent the majority of his life growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Butler III doesn’t shy away from the notion that he’s completely in awe of his latest major achievement, one he doesn’t merely take lightly.

“I was shocked that a black boy born in Charleston, South Carolina in the 60’s and raised in Brooklyn, New York (is a recipient for such a prestigious award),” Butler III, a retired disabled Army veteran, told MHN. “By receiving this award, I pray that daytime and nighttime shows call me so that we can have a serious conversation.”

Not only that, Butler III said he’s especially hopeful to someday meet the leaders of the free world.

“Hopefully, one day, I get to speak with the President, Vice President, and the Secretary of the VA to work on a new bill, which will eliminate over approximately (homelessness) for one million displaced and homeless veterans,” Butler III said. “And if their disability rating is zero-to-40 percent, they receive no healthcare from the Veterans Administration Hospitals.

MASSIVE INFLUENTIAL IMPACT 

“Our heroes and sheroes have to have a 50-to-100 percent disability rating to be allowed healthcare benefits. But it’s necessary to write a bill for undocumented immigrants to receive housing, food, money and healthcare.

We need people in office who are about our Father’s (God’s) business. Stop putting warriors on the backburner.”

Referencing the acronym, PTSD, Butler III said: “Our veterans are: Proud, Tough, Strong, and Determined.”

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Andre Johnson is the award-winning Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to [email protected] or to [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist or Instagram at @makingheadlinenews.

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