Boldnames from the ranks of NYC politics and entertainment lined up for the annual Armed Forces Gala and Gold Medal Dinner at the Plaza, benefiting the USO of Metropolitan New York. Charles Gargano, chairman and commissioner of the Empire State Development Corp., was honored for assisting Gov. George Pataki in implementing policies to attract new business investments and job growth for the Big Apple. Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was also honored for his service as the principal military advisor to the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council.

Supporting the troops: WPIX-TV correspondent Marvin Scott (who profiled our troops in Iraq during the holidays), The Sopranos’ Tony Sirico, and The Honeymooners’ Joyce Randolph.

Since 1941, the USO of Metropolitan New York, which is chartered by the U.S. Congress, has provided cultural, educational, and recreational services to military men and women and their families. Hats off to this much-appreciated organization and its honorees!