Post Office Named After Zach Smith

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Senator Gillibrand

Hundreds attend ceremony in his honor

The Hornell Post Office, located at 23 Genesee Street, Hornell, has been dedicated to Lance Corporal Zach Smith. "The United States Postal Service is privileged to have the name and spirit of Zachary Smith forever associated with our Hornell Post Office,” said Postmaster Gregory Persichilli. Marine Lance Corporal Zachary Smith was a 2008 graduate of Hornell High School.  Smith died on January 24,  in Afgahnistan. Legislation to designate the Hornell Post Office building as the “Zachary Smith Post Office Building” was signed into law by President Obama on August 3, 2010.

Several hundred people attended the ceremony on Thursday while friends, family, and political leaders paid tribude to the fallen Marine.  Joe Racalto, former Eric Massa aide served as master of ceremonies while Hornell Postmaster Gregory Persichilli, Football Coach Gene Mastin, Zach's Father Chris Smith, Hornell Mayor Shawn Hogan, and NY Senator Kirsten Gillibrand all spoke in tribute.  Hogan echoed his remarks from Smith's funeral calling him a "peacemaker" and went on to express how honored he was to be taking part in the ceremony.  Senator Gillibrand said that while she didn't know Smith personally, she recognized what a great person he was by the outpouring of community support and what the loss means to the community.  She called him "truly a hometown hero."