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HORNELL, N.Y. -- A small village in Upstate New York has been successful in changing the policy of the United States Postal Service.

Lance Corporal Zachary Smith's name now sits on the outside of the Hornell Post Office. It took 5,000 signatures on a petition and the help of lawmakers in Washington, D.C. to get the Postal Service to make an exception to its rule of not changing the name on one of their buildings.

Shortly after his death, a plaque was placed in the post office in his honor, but family, friends and local representatives say that now Smith has been given the honor that he deserves.

"Let this sign on this post office demonstrate for generations that we will never, ever, forget and that we are forever indebted to people like Zach Smith, to Chris and Kim and Zach's entire family," Representative Tom Reed said.

Monday's ceremony was short, including written remarks from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and former congressman Eric Massa.

Smith’s father also thanked those in attendance for their role in making the memorial complete.