Proud New Yorkers from all arenas delivered a magnificent salute to New York’s unsung heroes at the New York Post’s 2nd Annual Liberty Medal Awards. Both Mayor Bloomberg and Post Publisher Lachlan Murdoch hosted the reception at Gracie Mansion, awarding 10 brave New Yorkers with a silver Liberty Medal designed especially for the Post by “I Love NY” logo creator Milton Glaser. The Post established the Liberty Awards last year to honor courageous and compassionate contributions by exceptional New Yorkers in the aftermath of 9/11.

Each medal honored a particular act of fortitude that collectively represented the pride and backbone of New York City. Winners were selected from 32 finalists, all nominated by Post readers and chosen by a panel of distinguished judges.

Among those proud to present the heroes with shining symbols of gratitude were Cindy Adams, Whoopi Goldberg, and Glenn Close. Honorees included “Courage Medal” winner Anthony Gallo, for tackling and detaining a subway slasher; and “New York’s Finest” Medal to 27-year-old Tirzah Gonzalez, for digging through the Staten Island landfill to unearth post-9/11 human remains and ID’s. Mayor Mike presented a “Lifetime Achievement Medal” to NFL’s New York Giants co-owner and Loews Corporation CEO, Bob Tisch, for his outstanding philanthropy.

“King of the tube” Regis Philbin, emceed the ceremony of homage before an appreciative audience that included Jessica Seinfeld, Heidi Klum, Vivica Fox, Rachel Bilson, Gov. George Pataki, former Mayor David Dinkins, Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau, Fire Commish Nicholas Scoppetta, Police Commish Ray Kelly, Miramax Films’ Harvey Weinstein, Veronica Hearst, and Leonard Lauder.