Assemblywoman Sandy Galef and Senator Vincent Leibell conducted a ceremony celebrating the renaming of the "Croton Reservoir Bridge" as the "AMVETS Memorial Bridge", on Tuesday December 2nd at 9:30 am, honoring the men and women who have served our country.

This year, Governor George Pataki signed legislation, introduced by Assemblywoman Galef and Senator Leibell (A.6429/S.1176) renaming the "Croton Reservoir Bridge" as "AMVETS Memorial Bridge," dedicated to the veterans of our country.

Assemblywoman Galef commented "We must do all that we can to support and show our appreciation for our veterans. The ‘AMVETS Memorial Bridge’ is a symbol of our respect for their great service and dedication to our county and preservation of the democracy that we as Americans cherish so dearly.

At a time when our service men and women are overseas in military combat it is important that we do all we can to recognize the sacrifices made by each of them today as well as those who have served us in the past," continued Galef. "Renaming this bridge is a small but significant way to say thank you to all our courageous fellow Americans."

Senator Leibell added, "I am pleased to have been able to work with Assemblywoman Galef and leaders representing the veterans in our community to bring about this small but important name change. It is crucial to our defense and support of freedom here and around the world that we do not forget the sacrifices that have been made to secure and maintain peace. Now, as travelers cross this bridge, they will be necessarily reminded of the high price that democracy sometimes asks of its citizens."

Freemont Reif , the Chairman of the Cortlandt Veterans Council, Commander of the William Stern Post of the Jewish War Veterans in Peekskill and a life member of the VFW, commented, "We are pleased and grateful that New York State is saluting our veterans by naming this bridge in their honor. We shall always remember that it is the veterans who fought for our freedom that allow us to be here today."

Alex Grabowski, of AMVETS, the current 3rd Vice Commissioner of AMVETS, and a VA Volunteer Services representative for the Castle Point and Montrose VA hospitals, added, "I felt so pleased that there will be long-standing recognition of veterans in Westchester. It is very significant that all Americans give veterans the honor and respect that they deserve."