Entertainment

Megan Leavey, CPL (Ret. USMC), & Rex Statue

Published

6 years ago

September 19, 2020

HAVERSTRAW, NY – The statue is located at Haverstraw Bay County Park in Rockland County, New York and is purposely set back on overwatch of the sacred ground of the Rockland County Gulf War/War on Terror Monument.

Leavey is well known for her fight to keep Rex following her service in Iraq, which was portrayed in the 2017 Hollywood film “Megan Leavey.”

The film starring, Kate Mara as Leavey told her inspiring story.

Leavey and Sgt. Rex completed two six-month tours in Iraq and more than 100 missions together.

Towards the end of their second tour in 2006, the duo was wounded in the line of duty.

Insurgents watching from a rooftop detonated an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) as they watched Leavey and Rex in front of a patrol sweeping the area.

With a full year left to her enlistment in the Marine Corps, Leavey completed physical therapy along with Rex, and helped train fellow dog handlers preparing for their future deployments.

Leavey was then discharged in December 2007 from the Marine Corps and unfortunately, she could not take Rex back home with her.

Rex was unable to deploy anymore, but was still able to work stateside at Camp Pendleton.

He was deemed “not adoptable” in his medical records, so toward the end of Rex’s service, it was unclear what his future would be.

After involvement from Rockland County veteran advocate, Jerry Donnellan and instrumental efforts by U.S. Sen. Schumer, Rex was granted retirement and entrusted to Leavey.

Leavey and Rex were able to spend the last eight months of his life together at her home in New York.

Rex, a German Shepherd passed away in December of 2012 and the pair shared a special bond serving two tours in Iraq together where they carried out sweeps for explosives.

Entertainment

Penguin Rep Theatre Presents Flying Toward the Sun, Aug. 14–Sept. 6

Published

7 hours ago

August 13, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

Penguin Rep Theatre will present the world premiere of Flying Toward the Sun, a new musical by Bill Nabel and Neil Berg, August 14 through September 6 in Stony Point.

The musical follows a newly hired immigration official whose first day on the job brings him face-to-face with the hopes, heartbreak and humanity of people seeking asylum in the United States.

With an original score and a story centered on the personal consequences of immigration and the American dream, Flying Toward the Sun explores the difficult choices faced by people whose lives are shaped by displacement, uncertainty and the search for a better future.

The production marks the world premiere of the musical and continues Penguin Rep Theatre’s tradition of presenting new works for the stage.

Entertainment

‘Take Me America’ World Premiere Opens at Penguin Rep Theatre

Published

3 weeks ago

July 20, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

Penguin Rep Theatre will present the world premiere of Take Me America, a powerful new musical exploring the hopes, dreams, and challenges of the American immigration experience, running August 14 through September 6.

Written by Neil Berg (music and additional lyrics) and Bill Nabel (book and lyrics), the production is set in 2015 and follows Gary Campbell, an immigration official on his very first day on the job.

As Gary meets with individuals seeking a new life in the United States, he is confronted with deeply personal stories of sacrifice, heartbreak, resilience, and hope. Throughout the musical, he must make life-changing decisions that will determine the futures of those standing before him.

Blending an emotional story with an original score, Take Me America offers audiences a timely and thought-provoking look at the human side of immigration while celebrating the courage and determination of those pursuing the American dream.

The production marks another world premiere for Penguin Rep Theatre, which has earned a national reputation for developing new works that have gone on to stages across the country.

Take Me America will be performed August 14 through September 6 at Penguin Rep Theatre in Stony Point. Tickets and additional information are available through the theater’s box office and website.