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Longtime Greenwich Crossing Guard Honored

GREENWICH, Conn. (CBSNewYork) -- A veteran school crossing guard in Connecticut has been honored for his decades of service.

Tom Reale, 97, has been keeping kids safe at school street crossings in Greenwich since the early 1970s, WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau reported.

Fran Mayko of AAA in Connecticut, which bestowed the award on Reale, said he is truly dedicated.

"He really takes the interest of the children at heart," Mayko told Schneidau.

Mayko said in all the years AAA has presented the award there has never been a reception like the one given to Reale, who often calls many of the kids by their names.

"The room filled with police officers and friends and AAA people gave Tom a standing ovation," Mayko said.

Now, after more than 40 years as one of the most recognized citizens in Greenwich, Reale has retired with high honors from his hometown.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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