General Jerry Lang Named Hometown Hero By St. Cloud Rox

It’s not always easy to find someone who will give their time, energy, and heart to helping others, especially when there’s nothing in it for them.

But every once in a while, you come across someone who seems to have been born with a need to be there for others.

SPECIAL PEOPLE

That’s the story of Jerry Lang.

Someone who sees a need and steps in whenever possible. Someone who goes above and beyond simply because they can.

JERRY RECEIVES 'HOMETOWN HERO' RECOGNITION

Jerry was honored Saturday night, August 8th, as the St. Cloud Rox Hometown Hero, and from everything his community has to say about him, it’s hard to imagine someone more deserving of that recognition.

Get our free mobile app

MEET JERRY LANG

According to a Facebook post, Jerry has spent more than 40 years serving his country. He proudly served in the military and eventually retired with the rank of General.

But what really stands out is that when his military service ended, his desire to serve other people didn’t.

OTHER STORIES BY KELLY CORDES

NASA Has A Birthday Gift For Every Minnesotan

GIVING WHENEVER HE CAN

Jerry continues giving his time to the St. Cloud area in countless ways. He has volunteered with the Fourth of July fireworks folks, the POW Hot Air Balloon, Special Olympics, and many other organizations, events, and causes throughout the community.

And apparently, that’s just what Jerry does.

He shows up.

He helps.

And he doesn’t seem to do it because he wants someone to pat him on the back afterward.

A PUBLIC SERVANT TO THE CORE

That might be one of the most meaningful parts of this story. Jerry is described as someone who serves quietly, without looking for recognition.

That kind of person can sometimes be easy to overlook because they aren’t necessarily the ones standing at a microphone or telling everyone what they’ve done.

They’re just there.

They’re helping.

They’re making things a little easier for someone else.

And then one day, the community gets the chance to say, “We see you.”

THANK YOU JERRY

Being recognized as the St Cloud Rox team’s Hometown Hero is a wonderful honor, but honestly, the recognition seems like a small piece of a much bigger story.

Jerry has been a hometown hero long before someone put a title on it.

He has spent decades serving his country, and continues to serve his community. He has donated countless hours, supported important causes, and given his time to events that bring people together and make this community a better place.

There’s something pretty special about people who understand that their time can be valuable to someone else.

WHAT DOES A HERO LOOK LIKE?

Jerry’s story is also a good reminder that being a hero doesn’t always look like what we see in the movies. Sometimes it looks like volunteering at an event. Sometimes it means helping a child through Special Olympics. Sometimes it means showing up year after year because people know they can count on you.

And sometimes, it simply means caring.

Congratulations to Jerry Lang on being named a St. Cloud Rox Hometown Hero.

And more importantly, thank you, Jerry, for more than 40 years of service to our country and for all the years you’ve spent serving the people of this community.

Clearly, Jerry has been a hero to central Minnesota for a very long time.