They decided to honour Eliezer Wiesel and Atticus Finch, two men who fought against the odds.
As Atticus Finch said “It's[courage is] when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway, and see it through no matter what.” With that said these men most definitely displayed a great amount of courage.
Even president Barack Obama came to honour these men for their bravery.
Eliezer showed courage when he pushed himself to survive, every single day. This was not an action done out of fear of death. Elie admits death would be easier than the pain he enduring,