The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday unanimously approved a bill to rename the Riverhead post office as the “Private First Class Garfield M. Langhorn Post Office Building,” in honor of one of Riverhead’s Vietnam War heroes.
The bill was introduced by Rep. Tim Bishop (D-Southampton) to honor the Riverhead Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, who was killed in Vietnam Jan. 15, 1969 when he threw himself on a live grenade to save fellow soldiers.
“As they conduct business each day, the people of Riverhead who visit the post office will be reminded of PFC Langhorn’s extraordinary service and sacrifice, and can reflect on the true value of freedom,” said Bishop during a speech on the House floor. “They will know that PFC Garfield M. Langhorn was a national hero, and the values for which he gave his life – honor, loyalty, family – will forever be memorialized.”
The bill (HR 3250) was referred to the Senate for action. A bronze statue of Langhorn, a Riverhead High School graduate whose mother, Mary, still resides in Riverhead, is on display outside Riverhead Town Hall.
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