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Yorktown Schools Hold Veterans Ceremony For Purple Heart Recipient

YORKTOWN, N.Y. -- The students of Mildred E. Strang Middle School honored Purple Heart recipient Eugene Lang at a ceremony on March 3. 

Mildred E. Strang Middle School honored Purple Heart recipient Eugene Lang.

Mildred E. Strang Middle School honored Purple Heart recipient Eugene Lang.

Photo Credit: Submitted

“It was such a great honor to bring Sgt. Lang to our schools and to recognize his dedicated service to our nation," said Dr. Ralph Napolitano, superintendent of Yorktown schools. "As a longtime Yorktown resident, he is a local treasure and a great example to our students about leading by example and serving our community and country with courage and fortitude."

Yorktown Central School District administrators, teachers, staff, elected officials and military veterans including members of the American Legion Post 1009 joined the students in celebrating and recognizing Lang. 

Lang was wounded while serving in Vietnam, where he returned to battle after treatment. His records were lost, and Lang didn't receive a Purple Heart. 

Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) corrected the error in 2012 and delivered the award to Lang's Yorktown home without a full-fledged ceremony. 

Dr. Napolitano and State Sen. Terrence Murphy laid wreaths outside the school at a Vietnam Veteran's memorial. 

The New York State Senate Veterans' Wall of Fame exhibit is on exhibit in the school's lobby through the middle of the month. 

“Our veterans are what make this nation so unique. They gave us our freedom. They protect us and make us the greatest country in the world,” Murphy said. “The humility, dedication and selflessness they’ve shown is a fine example of how we should all live our lives. They are truly American heroes.”

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