Celebrities, including Viveca A. Fox, Heidi Klum, Harvey Weinstein and Jessica Seinfeld, toasted the newly minted hometown heroes at a Gracie Mansion reception hosted by Mayor Bloomberg and Post publisher Lachlan Murdoch.

"I am proud to once again host the Liberty award ceremony, celebrating the strength of our city and its people," the mayor said.

"Each nomination tells an inspiring story of generosity, bravery and dedication and truly symbolizes the best of New York City."

Whoopi Goldberg, Glenn Close and Cindy Adams were among the presenters of medals in 10 categories to winners touched at finding themselves in the spotlight for their good deeds and kind hearts.

"I'm thrilled," said Fire Lt. Richard Davan, who won the Bravest Medal for his daring rescue of a 10-year-old Brooklyn girl from a burning building.

He took the opportunity to praise civilian winners, saying, "Police officers and firefighters, we do it for a living - but it's nice to see that New Yorkers live up to their reputation as spirited people who don't think twice about becoming involved."

Anthony Gallo, who won a Courage Medal for tackling a deranged homeless man who slashed a woman on a subway train and holding the suspect for cops, said "reading the amazing stories of the other nominees touches the heart and gives you good feelings about other people."

The Post launched the Liberty Medals program last year as a way to acknowledge, in the aftermath of 9/11, the compassion, courage and contributions of the unsung New Yorkers who are the city's backbone.

"We had a tremendous response from New Yorkers who nominated their neighbors, community leaders, colleagues, volunteers, public servants and workers of all types in large numbers," Murdoch said.

"For a second year, all of us at The Post were inspired and enlightened by the people introduced to us by our readers."

Again this year, readers submitted nominations of people from all walks of city life, from which a panel of distinguished New Yorkers picked the winners.

"These individuals represent the best of New York," said Col Allan, editor-in-chief of The Post.

"We are honored to continue this tradition of thanking them, on behalf of all of the citizens of this great city, for their wonderful acts of selflessness."

TV talk-show king Regis Philbin emceed and dignitaries included Gov. Pataki, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, Former Mayor David Dinkins and Comptroller William Thompson.

"These are the people that make the city that much better," Pataki said of the winners.

Each took home a silver Liberty Medal created for The Post by renowned graphic designer Milton Glaser, who devised the iconic "I ò NY" logo.

Mario Tapia, a native of Chile and founder of the Manhattan-based Latino Gerontological Center, said he was honored at winning the Freedom Medal for dedicating his efforts to improving the life of the Latino elderly.

"I applaud the New York Post for setting the bar and raising the expectation level for all immigrants who enter this country," he said. "It is our duty to give back and continue building a strong nation for our future generations."

An ecstatic Beth Landau was "absolutely thrilled" at winning the Ambassador Medal for taking Engine Co. 33/Ladder Co. 9 under her wing after 9/11 and raising funds to treat 18 firefighters to a weekend vacation in her hometown of Memphis.

"I went by the firehouse and told the guys and they were tickled pink for me," she said.

Bob Tisch, co-owner of the NFL's New York Giants and co-chairman of Loews Corp., felt humbled at winning the Lifetime Achievement Medal for his philanthropic ways.

"I have never thought of myself as a hero," he said, "but just as a businessman who has been very fortunate to have the opportunity to contribute to our city."