Friends of National Service Awards

Greg Propper, actor Brandon Routh, and Steve Culbertson, CEO of Youth Service America

Service to others was the theme of the night on Tuesday in the East Hall of Union Station, where civil rights legend Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) was among those honored at the annual Friends of National Service awards, hosted by The Corps Network and the Voices for National Service.

Earlier in the day, Lewis received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, in a ceremony at a White House. But in typical Lewis fashion, the lawmaker was more concerned with those around him on Tuesday night than he was with his own accolades.

"It's a real honor," he told The Hill, "and I was grateful to be among [the honorees], but I'm equally happy to be here tonight."

Among those honored at the service awards were Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin (D), Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R), and Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), who energized the crowd with an appeal to lobby for greater funding for national service projects.

The most moving speech of the evening was given by De'Andre Alexander, the Corps Network's Corps Member of the Year, who recounted his journey from the penal system to a life of service.

— Report and photographs by Christina Wilkie

Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) wearing his Medal of Freedom, Michael Brown, and former Sen. Harris Wofford (D-Pa.)

Michael Brown with Comcast's Fred Maahs

City Year volunteers pose with Medal of Freedom recipient Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) and former Sen. Harris Wofford (D-Pa.)

Emily Stock and Peter Rumsey of Habitat for Humanity

Alma Henry and Claire Moreno

Paul diCamillo and Shannon Carcelli

Jessica Byrd and Brandon Bailes

Marie Walker, Reginald McCaskill, Towanda Tharpe, and Byron Kline