15-year-old Parkland hero Peter Wang posthumously honored for bravery
By Ryan General
The Chinese American Museum in Washington, DC, is paying tribute to young hero Peter Wang via a posthumous award at the 2023 Gold Lantern Awards Gala on Friday.
Wang’s courage and sacrifice: Wang, 15, made the ultimate sacrifice on Feb. 14, 2018, when a mass shooting unfolded at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Facing imminent danger, he selflessly held open a door to allow his fellow students to escape the gunfire. He was fatally shot while performing the act of bravery.
About the ceremony: The 2023 Gold Lantern Awards Gala, hosted by the Chinese American Museum in Washington, DC, aims to promote exchange and understanding between the U.S. and China by highlighting the contributions of outstanding Chinese Americans.
Among the distinguished awardees are renowned poet, author and activist Maxine Hong Kingston, television host, entrepreneur, author, fashion icon and humanitarian Yue-Sai Kan, and forensic scientist and media personality Dr. Henry Lee, among others.
Promoting exchange and understanding: Jenny Liu, one of the founders of the Chinese American Museum, emphasized that celebrating culture and achievement serves as an opportunity to increase mutual understanding between communities.
“The Chinese American community is expecting continued stability and improvement in US-China relations. It would bring mutual benefits to both nations and their people. This is particularly significant for Chinese living in the United States. A good bilateral relationship will make their life much easier.”
A hero’s legacy: Wang’s heroic actions during the Parkland shooting did not go unnoticed. At his funeral, he received an Honor Guard and was awarded the Medal for Heroism by the U.S. Army, acknowledging his selflessness and bravery.
He was also posthumously admitted to the United States Military Academy at West Point, fulfilling his childhood dream. The state of Florida also honored Wang by ordering the Florida National Guard to attend his funeral, recognizing the significance of his sacrifice.
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