The Riverhead Post Office will soon be known as the “Private First Class Garfield M. Langhorn Post Office Building,” Rep. Tim Bishop announced today.
Bishop’s bill to rename the Riverhead Post Office in honor of Langhorn, a Riverhead man killed in Vietnam in 1969, is headed to the president for signature, after companion legislation introduced by senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand was passed today by the U.S. Senate.
Langhorn, 20, was killed in action on January 15, 1969 in Pleiku Province when he threw himself on a live grenade, saving the lives of many fellow soldiers. He posthumously received the Congressional Medal of Honor for for his heroism.
PFC Langhorn’s mother Mary, 86, still lives in Riverhead. She was delighted by the news of the bill’s passage today.
“Wow,” she said. “I think it’s just dynamite,” she said. “It’s just awesome. It really is a wonderful thing, because he sacrificed himself to save his comrades, serving the United States.” Langhorn said she remains very proud of her son and the sacrifice he made for his country and his fellow troops.
“I appreciate everything everyone does to keep his memory alive,” Langorn said. “Not just the big things like this, but all the little things, too.”
Born to Garfield Sr. and Mary Langhorn on Sept. 10, 1948 in Cumberland Va., Langhorn grew up in Riverhead. He was a 1967 graduate of Riverhead High School. His mother said he was a religious young man who served his church, First Baptist Church of Riverhead, as an usher and also served as president of the youth department of the Eastern Baptist Association. The church has a library named for him and dedicated to his memory.
Langhorn served in the Army as a radio operator with Troop C, 7th Squadron (Airmobile), 17th Cavalry, 1st Aviation Brigade.
“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,” Bishop said in a statement. “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 now on its way to President Barack Obama is expected to be signed into law by mid-June, Bishop said.
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