If you watched President Trump’s State of the Union Address last night, it’s likely you teared up a few times. I’ll admit to shedding a tear or two myself.

The State of the Union is usually focused in part on the guests that the President invites to attend his speech. And last night, President Trump invited some of the finest Americans to receive accolades in prime time with the whole nation watching.

Here are the top five emotional moments from the State of the Union. 

First, the President introduced 13-year-old Iain Lanphier, an Eighth Grader from Scottsdale, Arizona who aspires to attend the United States Air Force Academy, and then wants to be a member of the newly minted Space Force. The President noted that Iain is fond of saying, “Most people look up at space. I want to look down on the world.”

The moment was even more touching when President Trump introduced Iain’s great-grandfather, Retired Brigadier General Charles McGee, one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen. President Trump recently sign a bill promoting McGee to the rank of Brigadier General in recognition for his service as a veteran of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. McGee is now 100 years old and Iain describes his great-grandfather as “his greatest hero of them all.”

Second, Janiyah Davis and her mom Stephanie are from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Stephanie is a hardworking single mom who applied for a tax credit scholarship for her daughter to attend the school of her choice. Last year, Pennsylvania’s governor Tom Wolf vetoed school choice legislation, putting a scholarship for Janiyah further out of reach. In a heartwarming moment, President Trump announced that an opportunity scholarship had become available for Janiyah, who will now be able to attend the school of her choice. Janiyah and her mom Stephanie stood up and hugged while smiling from ear to ear.

Next, the President introduced Ellie Schneider and her mom Robin. Ellie was born extremely premature at 21 weeks 6 days gestation weighing less than one pound. She is one of the earliest premature babies ever to survive. Now, Ellie is a strong and healthy two-year-old. Since many states allow for pre-born babies even more developed than Ellie was when she was born to be aborted, President Trump called on Congress to end late-term abortion nationwide. “I’m calling on Congress to finally pass legislation to ban the late-term abortion of babies. Whether we are Republican, Democrat or Independent, surely, we must all agree that every human life is a sacred gift from God,” the President said.

Fourth, the President introduced Kelli and Gage Hake from Stillwater, Oklahoma. Kelli was home with 1-year-old Gage when she learned her husband, Army Staff Sergeant Christopher Hake was killed in Iraq after his vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb. Before this death, Staff Sergeant Hake wrote a letter to Gage that said, “I will be with you again. I will teach you to ride your first bike, build your first sandbox, watch you play sports and see you have kids also. I love you son. Take care of your mother. I am always with you. Daddy.” As the President honored her husband, Kelli placed her hand over her heart, held Gage’s hand and broke into tears. Gage’s eyes flashed with concern for his mom as he placed his arm around her to comfort her. 

The terrorist responsible for killing Staff Sergeant Hake was Iranian General Qasem Soleimani who was taken out in an airstrike ordered by President Trump earlier this year. After his death, the media lionized Soleimani as “inspirational” and a “hero.” This heart-wrenching moment at the State of the Union put the media to shame. 

Finally, after lauding the sacrifices that military men and women make to defend our country, the President turned the American people’s attention to Amy Williams and her two young children from Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Amy works full-time for the Army while her husband Sergeant First Class Townsend Williams has been gone for seven months on his fourth deployment in the middle east.

“Amy, there is one more thing. Tonight, we have a very special surprise. I am thrilled to inform you that your husband is back from deployment. He is here with us tonight. And we couldn’t keep him waiting any longer,” the President announced. Sergeant Williams descended the stairs and embraced his wife and children. 

It was a stirring night for the tens of millions of Americans who watched and a moving tribute to several extraordinary citizens who deserved every ounce of honor they received.

Photos from the White House 

You can follow this author on Twitter @MettlerZachary