Parkland Victim Peter Wang Honored by Military
Peter Wang, a 15-year-old student and victim of the Parkland school shooting, was honored by the U.S. military this week for his bravery and selflessness.
Witnesses and authorities said that Wang, a member of the U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC), died while holding a school door open so his classmates and school staff could escape. He was one of 17 victims of the shooting.
The U.S. Military Academy at West Point, which Wang had hoped to attend after high school, posthumously offered him admission for his heroic actions.
"It was an appropriate way for USMA to honor this brave young man," reads a statement from West Point. "West Point has given posthumous offers of admissions in very rare instances for those candidates or potential candidates whose actions exemplified the tenets of Duty, Honor and Country."
In a Facebook post, the academy wrote that Wang's actions were an example of those tenants, and extended their condolences to families of Parkland victims.
[facebook ]https://www.facebook.com/WestPointUSMA/posts/10155165655776232[/facebook]
Wang was buried on Tuesday in his JROTC uniform.
"I watched you walking to school on February 14," his mother said at the funeral, according to the New York Post. "Now my body is bleeding in unbearable pain. Baby, am I in a nightmare? This is unbearable. Baby, hold my hand, reach me. Baby, I'm stuck in this nightmare. Lead the way out."
His classmates and friends wanted people to know what a courageous person Wang was.
His cousin Lin Chen told The Sun-Sentinel, "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. He is so funny, caring and selfless."
Classmate and friend Adrian Ortiz told ABC News, "I want people to know he died a hero. He died saving many people."
In addition to his West Point admission, Wang also received the Medal of Heroism from the U.S. Army. Two other victims, 14-year-olds Martin Duque and Alaina Petty also received Medals of Heroism, which is the highest medal given to JROTC cadets.
Governor Rick Scott has also directed the Florida National Guard to honor all three cadets.
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