Liberty Enlightening the World

For much of the past 35 years I've spent July 4th in a different part of the country. The summers in Maine seated on the grass of the old parade ground at Ft. Williams Park listening to Independence Pops, a music program produced by the Portland Symphony Orchestra are etched in my memory.

For the first time, in a very long time, I will spend July 4th in New York City. My childhood memories of New York in the summer were hot and humid. I will be among the sweltering masses looking for a place on the west side of Manhattan from which to watch the fireworks.

As a 50 something adult I've watched the political pendulum swing back and forth. One thing that remains constant is the lady who stands on what used to be known as Bedloe's Island. She's a tolerant, accepting, patient soul who has grown old gracefully.

She was a gift. From the French. Her arm bearing the torch was sent to Philadelphia in 1876 to commemorate the centennial of the United States of America. It took 12 years to get her from the crates of parts she was packed in, onto her pedestal and into the middle of New York harbor.

Under her watchful eyes, generations of immigrants, including my ancestors, sailed past her into a new world  filled with hope and opportunity.

She saluted men and women of our armed services as they went off to war.

Almost eight years ago she watched in horror, as the World Trade Center was attacked, and thousands died.

She remains alert and vigiliant trying to enlighten the world on the concept of liberty. She does her job, as well as humanity will let her. She's had good days and bad days. While she carries a torch in her right hand she clutches a tablet in her left.

Written on the tablet is a date in Roman numerals: July 4, 1776, the date the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia.

It's easy to be cynical about our recent history and events we have found ourselves in. She's been around the block longer than I have, and has seen more, too.

Yet she stands out there, sharing an ideal upon which our nation was built. I found myself humbled the first time I visited her on a school field trip.

When I rode past her on the Staten Island Ferry recently, I still felt that same humbling emotion as I did 45 years ago.

Somehow it seems presumptous for U.S. citizens, or Americans as we like to call ourselves, to erect such a statue. The fact that she's a gift helps us remember the value of the liberty we enjoy each day. Our democracy is indeed imperfect.

Winston Churchill (whose mother was born in Brooklyn of all places) once said, and I paraphrase, "Democracy is the worst form of government on the face of the earth...except for all the others."

Liberty enlightening the world is gift that keeps on giving. Happy Birthday America!