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Retired US Army Specialist Shoshana Johnson will join Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg in Times Square to signal the lowering of the New Year's Eve Ball and lead the final sixty-second countdown to the New Year.

The selection of Specialist Johnson as the Special Guest was announced today by Mayor Bloomberg along with Tim Tompkins, President of the Times Square Business Improvement District (the BID) and Jeffrey Straus, President of Countdown Entertainment, co-organizers of Times Square 2004, and Jennifer Kang, Project Manager at Discover Financial Services, Inc..

Specialist Johnson attended today's announcement.

On New Year's Eve, Specialist Johnson will represent all the men and women of the Armed Services who put their lives on the line for us every day.

Since her return to the United States, Johnson has received numerous awards and recognition for her valor and service to the United States.

She officially retired after serving in the military for over five years on Friday, December 12, 2003, at Ft. Bliss, Texas.

Ms. Johnson has been selected by the organizers of the event for her extraordinary courage and resilience and to send a message of support to the men and women of the armed forces as well as their loved ones, during this holiday season.

In a statement, Ms. Johnson said: "It is with great honor and pleasure that I accept your invitation to serve as the honorary Special Guest to officially ring in the 2004 New Year with Mayor Michael Bloomberg at Times Square in New York. I humbly appreciate being a part of this prestigious event and following outstanding individuals like Muhammad Ali and Christopher Reeve."

Mayor Bloomberg said: "I am proud that I will be standing with Shoshana Johnson during New Year's Eve in Times Square - one of the most magical moments of the year in New York City. She is truly an inspiration; fully deserving the decorations she has received including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Prisoner of War Medal. We are honored that she will be sharing New Year's with us. She exemplifies the proud, indomitable spirit of New Yorkers and Americans."

Tim Tompkins said: "When choosing a special guest, we contemplate the message we want to send to the world from the heart of Times Square. The New Year is a time when many of us look back and take stock of the past year, and we also look forward and set new goals.

Specialist Shoshana Johnson exemplifies the courage and steadfastness to which so many of us aspire. Her will and determination make her a role model for all of us."

Jeffrey Straus said, "Shoshana Johnson is a testament to the courage of thousands of unrecognized heroes who place themselves in harm's way and ask for nothing in return. As we bring n the new year with half a million revelers in Times Square and a billion viewers worldwide, we will honor Shoshana and all the men and women of the armed forces."

Specialist Johnson's awards and decorations throughout her military career include the US Army Service Ribbon, Army Commendation Ribbon, National Defense Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, and the Prisoner of War Medal.

Ms. Johnson's selection continues the tradition established by the Times Square BID and Countdown Entertainment of honoring outstanding individuals whose spirit and courage are an inspiration to others.

In addition to the selection of Shoshana Johnson as the Special Guest, the organizers of New Year's Eve in Times Square announced new program elements today that will entertain as well as actively involve the revelers in Times Square.

At approximately 10:00 p.m., Discover Card, the worldwide presenting sponsor of Times Square New Year's Eve, will help five people start the New Year on the Fasttrack to Cashback with a chance at winning up to $100,000.

Celebrity host Ben Stein, from the Emmy Award-winning Win Ben Stein's Money, and each of the pre-selected contestants will grab for cash inside a special money machine on the main stage on Duffy Square in Times Square.

Discover Card will also make a matching donation to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International. "Discover Card is thrilled to be participating in the main stage program at this year's New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square," said Jennifer Kang, Project Manager at Discover Financial Services Inc..

At approximately 11:15 p.m., superstar Cyndi Lauper will perform at this year's Panasonic New Year's Eve Performance and Sing-A-Long, with three selections from her new CD, At Last. More than 500,000 New Year's Eve revelers are expected to join her in song as the lyrics are featured on giant Panasonic Astrovision Screens in Times Square.