Three Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) cadets killed in the Florida school massacre while defending their classmates on Feb. 14 are reportedly being awarded the Medal of Heroism by the U.S. Army.
The students — Peter Wang, Alaina Petty and Martin Duque – are receiving the medals for their performance which “involved the acceptance of danger and extraordinary responsibilities” during the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.
It is with broken hearts that Sunrise Post 365 & Stoneman Douglas JROTC shares the loss of our soaring eagles! We honor them, and will miss their courage, tenacity, and their smiles! Cadet Peter Wang, Cadet Martin Duque, and Cadet Alaina Petty. May they always soar high! pic.twitter.com/eg0TKprzMV
— sunrisepost365 (@sunrisepost365) February 18, 2018
“He is so funny, caring and selfless,’’ Lin Chen, Wang’s older cousin, told the Sun Sentinel of her heroic cousin, who reportedly held the door for other students to flee before him. “He is so brave. He is the person who is genuinely kind to everyone. He doesn’t care about popularity. He always liked to cheer people up. He is like the big brother everyone wished they had.”
The Daily Beast reports the family of Alaina Petty was presented her Medal of Heroism at a memorial service on Monday, the family of Peter Wang was given his at his memorial service today and the family of Martin Duque will receive his medal on Saturday.
Peter Wang lost his life in service to others. The U.S. Military Academy honors Peter Wang with an honorary admission for his bravery and selflessness.
One of West Point's priorities is to develop leaders of character who are committed to the values of Duty, Honor, and Country. pic.twitter.com/jZesqGuPvt— sunrisepost365 (@sunrisepost365) February 20, 2018
Vets holding flags outside of Peter Wang’s funeral today. Wang, 15, died among 17 others after the Stoneman Douglas shooting. pic.twitter.com/31m7xFttKN
— Aric Chokey (@aric_chokey) February 20, 2018
Members of the @AmericanLegion and other vet groups are getting ready to ride out to Peter Wang’s burial. pic.twitter.com/IhWqyAZ93J
— Aric Chokey (@aric_chokey) February 20, 2018
West Point will provide the family of Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting victim Peter Wang a letter of acceptance to West Point Class of 2025, which was his dream, and honorarium tokens. His funeral is today. pic.twitter.com/kOb9P5mjdd
— Brittany Wallman (@BrittanyWallman) February 20, 2018
MSD HS @USArmy and now, @WestPoint_USMA student Pvt. Peter Wang, who scarficed himself so that others may live, receives Taps. pic.twitter.com/zpKHFfua7R
— James LaPorta (@JimLaPorta) February 20, 2018
This was my cousin Alaina Petty. She was one of the 17 victims who lost their lives in the Florida school shooting, she was too young and deserved so much better. Fly high angel, I’m gonna miss you ♥️ #PrayForParkland pic.twitter.com/XMN7COC82C
— Nickolai Petty (@ThiccNick) February 15, 2018
Geography teacher Scott Beigel, who died after opening his classroom door to shelter students, language arts teacher Melissa Falkowski, who hid 19 students in a closet, and coach Aaron Feis, a security guard who reportedly jumped in front of students to shield them, are also being hailed heroes. Beigel and Feis died from their injuries.
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