Pulaski Sixth-Graders and Veterans Attend Garfield Langhorn Documentary Premiere at The Suffolk

Pulaski Street sixth-graders and more than 30 members of the Vietnam Veterans of America filled The Suffolk Theater for the first-ever screening of a documentary honoring PFC Garfield M. Langhorn Jr., Riverhead’s only Medal of Honor recipient. The program brought students, educators, Riverhead High School NJROTC members, and veterans together for an educational event tying local history to the community’s living memory.

The screening took place at The Suffolk on Jan. 29, when the theater was described as “filled to capacity” with students, educators, and veterans. Denise Civiletti’s RiverheadLOCAL coverage, submitted to the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast, described the day as a “powerful and emotional learning experience” for the sixth graders. The documentary was produced by the Suffolk County chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America and traces Langhorn’s life, character, and final act of heroism.

Vietnam veteran Clarence Simpson, vice president of the Suffolk County chapter, narrated portions of the film and read from official Department of Defense records and Langhorn’s Medal of Honor citation onstage with members of the Riverhead High School NJROTC just before the screening. The program included material designed to connect young students to primary records: the film, as reported, “includes a haunting real audio transmission recorded moments before Langhorn sacrificed his life during a fierce ambush in Vietnam in January 1969, when he jumped on a live grenade to save wounded comrades.”

Attendance reflected a cross-generational turnout that the producers and local schools framed as civic education. More than 30 VVA members were present, underscoring the close ties between Riverhead veterans and local institutions. The onstage presence of NJROTC cadets alongside veterans provided a visual bridge between military service and classroom learning, reinforcing the film’s use as a teaching tool about sacrifice, military history, and local heritage.

Reporting shows some small inconsistencies in secondary coverage: one podcast transcription used the spelling “Garfield Langford,” a likely typographical error; RiverheadLOCAL and social posts consistently use Garfield M. Langhorn Jr. The documentary’s production credits beyond the Suffolk County chapter, runtime, and broader distribution plans were not disclosed in available reports.

For Riverhead residents, the screening anchored a piece of national military history in a local setting, giving students direct exposure to primary-source testimony and veterans’ remembrances. Organizers have not announced additional public screenings or distribution details, so interested residents and educators may watch for further events at The Suffolk or news from the Suffolk County chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America. The premiere signals a renewed push to put local Medal of Honor history into the classroom and public conversation.