YONKERS, N.Y. Chants of Pooh spread through a crowd of more than 100 spectators Saturday morning, as officials unveiled the renaming of the Ravine and Glenwood Avenue intersection as US Marine Lance Corporal Anthony Deshon Stewart Drive.
Family, friends, state and city officials gathered to honor the late Gulf War hero whose nickname became legendary on the streets of Yonkers.
Everyone knew who Pooh was and now they will always know, said longtime friend and Yonkers resident Damian Scudder. Weve called him Pooh his whole life; his Mom was a big Winnie the Pooh fan, and the name stuck.
The dedication was followed by a tearful speech from Stewarts mother, Yvonne Stewart-Hall.
I know not many people would want to be in my shoes, she said. But today I feel a lot of relief. Everyone here knows how special Pooh was.
Stewart was killed in action in December 1990 when another Marines rifle accidently fired while stationed in Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War.
Almost 22 years later, Stewart-Hall says she finally has the strength to push forward.
Im doing everything I can to welcome a new start, she said. It took a long time for me to get to this point, but Im glad I can help our neighborhood remember how much he meant to us.
He was a role model, said Kamati Pinkston, a childhood friend. We did everything together from first grade all the way to playing high school football. When he signed up for the service, it didnt surprise anyone. He was a leader.
Jeffrey Lewis, another childhood friend, agreed.
He showed everyone so much courage, Lewis said. He believed in what he was doing and when he made a commitment to something, it was always at 100 percent.
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and City Council members Christopher Johnson, Michael Sabatino and John Larkin were on hand for the unveiling.
Mrs. Hall came to me and said she wanted something done for her son and I immediately went to work on making this happen, because this is something that shouldnt have to wait, Johnson said.
Today were celebrating the life of a hero, Mayor Spano said. We can never forget what Anthony did for us. This is just a simple gesture to mark what this man did for this country.
Spano added that the sign is the first street dedication in the colors red, white and blue in Yonkers. From now on, each time a veteran is honored with a street naming, the sign will be in the countrys colors.
When I first arrived today, I noticed the tears being shed by Mrs. Hall and I wondered if we should keep this short to spare her, said State Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins. But I realize now shes been shedding those tears for 22 years. Im honored that today we can help wipe those tears away.
In addition to the renaming of the street, Stewart-Hall says shed like the city to establish a scholarship in honor of her son.
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