Riverhead VA Clinic Renamed to Honor Hero PFC Garfield M. Langhorn, Cementing Legacy of Valor

This legislation officially renames the Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in Riverhead, New York, to the “Private First Class Garfield M. Langhorn VA Clinic.” This is a straightforward, ceremonial bill intended to honor a local hero, PFC Garfield M. Langhorn, who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War. Section 2 of the bill mandates that this name change be adopted immediately, meaning all official government documents, maps, and signs must now reflect the new designation.

The Story Behind the Name

Unlike many bills that deal with budgets or regulations, this one is rooted entirely in history and recognition. Section 1 details the extraordinary bravery of PFC Langhorn. In January 1969, while serving as a radio operator near Plei Djereng, his unit came under heavy fire. When a grenade landed near several wounded soldiers, Langhorn threw himself onto the explosive, absorbing the blast and saving the lives of his comrades. As Congress notes, this selfless act of valor is meant to serve as a lasting example of courage for the nation.

What This Means for the VA and Veterans

For the veterans and staff who use or work at the Riverhead clinic, the day-to-day services—appointments, prescriptions, and care—will remain exactly the same. The change is purely administrative and symbolic. However, the impact of naming a facility after someone who demonstrated such profound commitment to his fellow soldiers is significant. It ensures that the memory of a local hero, who embodies the concept of 'leaving no one behind,' is permanently associated with a place dedicated to veteran care.

Minimal Impact, Maximum Respect

Because this bill is focused on a singular, specific facility name change, the implementation is clean and has virtually no complexity or cost implications for the average citizen. The only real-world change is administrative: the Department of Veterans Affairs will need to update its signs, letterheads, and databases to reflect the new name. This kind of legislation is a clear win-win: it honors a local hero and reinforces the VA’s mission without creating new regulations, taxes, or bureaucratic hurdles for anyone using the system.