A man who rose from humble beginnings in Nigeria to become a U.S. Army-trained combat medic and the recipient of 13 military awards earned during two deployments in Afghanistan was shocked this week when he learned his New Jersey town was honoring him in a huge way.
George Alakpa — a Ph.D. microbiologist who today is 80 percent disabled as a result of his war injuries — has not had an easy time of it since returning home to Sussex County 21/2 years ago.
But the outpouring of support he has received since the New Jersey Herald first reported on his difficulties last month has been unlike anything he ever thought possible.
(READ story from the New Jersey Herald)