Four Pulaski Street School sixth-graders were recently recognized as winners of the 13th annual Hometown Heroes essay contest held by the First Baptist Church of Riverhead in memory of Vietnam War veteran PFC Garfield M. Langhorn.
Langhorn, a native of Riverhead and graduate of Riverhead High School, served in the U.S. Army’s 17th Calvary regiment as a radio operator. He was killed at the age of 20 when he threw himself atop an enemy grenade lobbed toward men who were serving with him. By sacrificing himself, he saved the rest of his comrades. (See prior editorial here.)
Langhorn’s selfless act earned him America’s highest military decoration, the Congressional Medal of Honor, for his action in the war. The U.S. Post Office in Riverhead bears his name and a bronze bust and plaque in his honor grace the lawn of Riverhead Town Hall.
The annual contest asks students to pen an essay based on the question, “How can you be a hero in your everyday life?” As part of the contest, which aims to keep the memory of Langhorn alive, students learn about the meaning of the word hero and the life and heroism of Langhorn.
The winners of the essay contest, Avrie Wirth, Zachary Lull, Caden Lesiewicz and Jessica Martinez, were presented with their awards at an annual ceremony on Oct. 20 attended by Langhorn’s mother, Mary, members of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 11, members of the First Baptist Church and the Patriot Guard Riders.
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