Fox Nation Patriot Awards inspire Americans with songs, speeches and stories of heroism

Fox Nation presented the 3rd Annual Patriot Awards Wednesday, honoring everyday Americans who demonstrated extraordinary patriotism.

The awards were hosted by Pete Hegseth, and can now be streamed on Fox Nation.

D'Corey Johnson, a third-grade student from New York State whose rendition of the national anthem has gone viral, kicked off the awards show, followed by an appearance by the state's Republican governor, Ron DeSantis.

In his opening remarks, emcee Hegseth made the comparison between the two American "Hollywoods" – the one in Broward County, Fla., where the Patriot Awards are taking place – and the one in Los Angeles, Calif., where the entertainment awards take place.

He praised the service of American military members, saying that they all collectively are the "reason we are here."

"Our 244-year-old experiment in human freedom … is today the most free, most diverse, most tolerant, most just and most prosperous country the world has ever seen," Hegseth added.

"If you don't love it, you can always leave it."

Hegseth was followed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis who welcomed the Fox Nation Patriot Awards to his state, which he called the "freest in the Union."

"We worked very hard over the last year and a half standing up to bureaucrats, standing up to corporate media, to keep Florida open," he said. "We were not going to let Florida descend into a Faucian Dystopia where people’s freedom were curtailed and lives were destroyed."

"We choose Freedom over Fauciism," the governor continued, going on to praise military servicemembers and celebrate the fact that Sunshine State law enforcement officers will not be defunded or forced to abide by vaccine mandates.

The first presenter of the evening – for Most Valuable Patriot Award -- was "Ingraham Angle" host Laura Ingraham.

"Our most valuable patriot absolute radiates a positive… attitude," Ingraham said. "While so many athletes … use their platforms to criticize America, but never China, our MVP uses hers to express her love for America."

The winner was U.S. Olympian Tamyra Mensah-Stock. Mensah-Stock was the first Black woman to win gold in U.S. Olympic wrestling history. She is the daughter of a Ghanian father and American mother and grew up in Illinois. She competed in the 2020 games in the 68-kilogram category.

"Unfiltered" host Dan Bongino and Fox Nation investigative reporter Lara Logan presented the second award; for Heroism.

Logan said this year’s award winner, Lt. Col. Scott Mann, commenced a veteran-run mission, collaborating U.S. Special Forces to evacuate Americans from Afghanistan amid President Biden’s disastrous withdrawal.

Mann, a retired Green Beret, led "Task Force: Pineapple" – which successfully helped evacuate stranded American citizens and other individuals from the now-Taliban-controlled country.

In his remarks, Mann said he is "absolutely not a hero, but got to serve with a whole bunch of them."

"This [award] is for all the men and women I served with over 20 years in Afghanistan… this is for the 13 [American servicemembers] that didn’t come home."

"This is also for our Afghan partners – who fought to the last round."

"When institutional leadership failed us, a lot of combat veterans from both sides of the aisle... all stepped into the breach," he added.

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Next, Sean Hannity introduced the Patriot Awards’ In-Memoriam remembrance for the 13 fallen service members who died in the August 2021 suicide bomb attack during the evacuation of Kabul.

Hannity added that he will not stop tallying the days since Biden "abandoned Americans" in Afghanistan in August.

Hannity also offered a moment of praise to the late conservative icon Rush Limbaugh, who died earlier this year after a battle with cancer.

"We will miss our friend," he said.

The hosts of "Fox & Friends" – Ainsley Earhardt, Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade – next presented the award for Modern Warrior.

The winner of the Modern Warrior Award was Army Sgt. 1st Class John Goudie, a Purple Heart recipient who lost his left leg and suffered a traumatic brain injury.

"Despite his injuries, Goudie deployed again to another combat mission to Afghanistan," said Earhardt.

"I have the ability and I think it’s a blessing and a gift – by getting up and being in a positive place have the ability to inspire everyone around me," Goudie said of his life after service.

"I would start to say, be positive, stand up for what you believe in, and fight for it," said Goudie.

Later, "Building Homes for Heroes" founder Andy Pujol came onstage to present Goudie with a new personalized home for the wounded veteran -- after which Earhardt surprised Pujol with the "Service to Veterans" award for his work in that charity.

Hegseth returned to the stage to introduce veteran Chris Bickel, one of the servicemembers featured in Fox Nation’s "Patriot’s Playlist" – wherein veterans team up with country musicians to create a song about their service and their journey home.

Singer-songwriters Tyler Farr and Heath Sanders then came onstage to perform the song they wrote with Bickel – "The Man I Left Behind."

Later, Fox Business host Mike Rowe introduced Bobby Reuter, the young man who handcrafted this year’s physical Patriot Awards. 

Rowe, a longtime advocate for blue-collar workers who runs a pro-trade jobs non-profit in his hometown of Baltimore, remarked that the award could indeed rival those from West Coast award shows.

Judge Jeanine Pirro presented the Courage award on Wednesday evening.

She described the historic and heroic actions of this year’s recipient, the late Todd Beamer.

Beamer, a passenger aboard the doomed Flight 93 on September 11, 2001, has been immortalized through his last words, "Let’s roll" – as he led fellow passengers in an attempt to overpower the hijackers.

Beamer and all of the passengers aboard Flight 93 died moments later when the plane crashed into a field in Stonycreek Township, Pennsylvania, near the town of Shanksville.

Beamer’s parents, David and Peggy Beamer, accepted the award on his behalf:

"I can't tell you how happy I am to be amongst so many great Americans," David Beamer said. "We are thankful that Fox Nation remembers 9/11, remembers our son, and what others did on that day, and what thousands of others have done [since] 9/11 to keep us free and safe."

Geraldo Rivera, host of Fox Nation's "COPS: All Access" appeared via satellite to honor his late friend, John Langley, the original creator of "COPS", as the program embarks on its 33rd year.

"COPS, rock on," Rivera said.

Fox Nation host Nancy Grace then presented the inaugural "Back the Blue Award" to District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Officer Taylor Brandt.

Brandt, who joined the force in 2020, has provided critical medical care in several incidents, and is credited with saving 9 lives in her Washington precinct.

Grace, a former prosecutor in Atlanta's Fulton County, said Brandt represents what is "good about police officers."

Presenter Tucker Carlson later spoke about the importance and heroism of law enforcement, and later the greatness of America.

Carlson said, in part, that "never has a better country been run by worse people."

The "Tucker Carlson Tonight" host introduced California 8th grader Charlotte Bevan, the recipient of the "Young Patriot" award.

Bevan recited a poem she wrote for her school called "Flying Our Flag High."

To close the program, Fox Nation hosts Kacie McDonnell and Abby Hornacek introduced fellow host, and country music star, John Rich.

"The only reason America is a free nation is the United States military. Empire after empire has taken on this great country, and every single one of them have failed – they have failed at the feet of American soldiers, and they will continue to fail at the feet of American soldiers."

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Rich then performed a song he wrote in honor of his veteran grandfather, called "The Good Lord and the Man."

As a final encore, Rich led the Fox Nation audience in "God Bless America."