Students Who Died In Florida Shooting Awarded Medal Of Heroism From US Army

Three students who lost their lives when a 19-year-old gunman opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School are being awarded the Medal of Heroism by the United States Army, reports The Daily Beast. All three students were members of the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps and went above and beyond their training as the horrific events unfolded around them. 

The family of Alaina Petty received the medal during her memorial service on Monday, which was attended by 1,500 people. Her family told the Sun-Sentinel the 14-year-old was a caring child who had an "innate sense right and wrong."

“You could not escape her innate sense right and wrong, but you never felt that she was judging you,” he said. “She just wanted to be your friend.”

Military veterans are expected to attend the memorial service of Peter Wang to award the medal to his family on Tuesday, February 20. When the shooting started, Wang jumped into action, holding the door open for students as the escaped the hail of gunfire. 

Martin Duque will also be honored for his brave and heroic sacrifice. A friend described him as “an amazing person” and “loved everybody.”

Other members of the JROTC at the school used their training to help keep people safe during the shooting. According to the Washington Post, Zackary Walls and Colton Haab helped guide students into a classroom where they hid behind a shield of kevlar curtains. Another student, 15-year-old Jude Lenamon, ushered students out of the school and helped them find safety by cutting through a fence. 

The JROTC is one of the largest young programs in the world with over 300,000 members. The mission of the JROTC is to "motivate young people to be better citizens" by providing a quality citizenship, character, and leadership development program.


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