Luke Rosenthal, 8, to get Hempstead's Distinguished Service Pin for coming to aid of neighbor attacked by wasps

An 8-year-old hero is to receive the Town of Hempstead's Distinguished Service Pin Monday night for helping an elderly neighbor under attack by wasps, according to town officials.

The 8 p.m. honoring of Luke Rosenthal will be at 197 East Meadow Ave., headquarters for the East Meadow Fire Department, where his dad, Jeff Rosenthal, is a lieutenant.

The family and the neighbor live in the area of Greenbelt and Guild lanes in Levittown, bordering East Meadow.

"It is astounding that an eight-year-old boy would have the 'cool under fire' qualities of an adult hero," said Town Supervisor Kate Murray in a news release. "I am also impressed that young Luke confronted the wasps with little regard for his own safety."

Murray, with other town officials, will give the award. The victim was not identified but is expected to attend, officials said.

Luke also will receive a giant East Meadow Fire Department shield, replete with a "salute to the hero" and a "bee prepared" motto.

Town spokesman Michael Deery said in a telephone interview that the incident occurred on Oct. 2, "but we just learned of it."

Hearing the woman's screams, Luke quickly donned a fire rescue vest he helped his father make, grabbed a portable home phone, and ran to her aid.

He helped swat away wasps, comforted the woman, who also suffered a broken wrist, and saw to it that "fire rescue" was called after he learned the portable phone was out of range. The victim was then taken to a hospital, town officials said.

Wasp stings are potentially deadly, especially to those allergic to the insect's venom. Unlike bees, wasps can sting multiple times, because their stingers remain intact.