Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton knows how to try to get a laugh from a public embarrassment.

Ever since the website WikiLeaks started posting State Department memos — known as cables — and other classified government documents, U.S. officials have been turning a bit red as secret assessments of world leaders have become public.

She found time for a little light turn about WikiLeaks during a reception she hosted Saturday night at the State Department for recipients of this year’s Kennedy Center Honors — who include Oprah Winfrey and Paul McCartney.

Clinton said she found it extraordinary to greet so many talented people.

She then said: ‘I am writing a cable about it, which I’m sure you’ll find soon on your closest website.”

Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter, of Bay Shore, was killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. His mother has made it her mission to aid active-duty service members, veterans, first responders and Gold Star families. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports. Credit: Randee Daddona; Photo credit: Cathy Heighter

'His sacrifice made a difference': Gold Star mother honors son's memory Army Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter, 22, of Bay Shore, was the first serviceman from Long Island killed in the Iraq War.

Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter, of Bay Shore, was killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. His mother has made it her mission to aid active-duty service members, veterans, first responders and Gold Star families. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports. Credit: Randee Daddona; Photo credit: Cathy Heighter

'His sacrifice made a difference': Gold Star mother honors son's memory Army Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter, 22, of Bay Shore, was the first serviceman from Long Island killed in the Iraq War.

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