The Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty holds a special place in our heart.  Not only is it a universal sign of freedom, but on this island is where Alton received his first concussion.  Did you know there is a playground on the island?  On this playground is a slide.  Alton decided to climb to the top, and instead of going down the slide, he fell back down the ladder.  He was 4 years old.

The year was 1975.  Alton's dad was a National Park Ranger and was assigned to be the Ranger at the Statue of Liberty.  Alton lived on this island from 1974-1978.   Instead of taking a bus to school, Alton took a ferry. 

Did you know there is a couple of homes on the island?  I had no idea until I met him.  This picture was taken from the ferry when they lived there.  We went to NYC in 2003.  We went to the island.  (I took the top picture on this trip).  As we got of the ferry, there stood the same ferry hand that worked there in the 70's.  Alton calls him "Sunshine Mike".  Mike was speechless, obviously this 30 something, 6'4" blonde guy could not possible be the little blonde Alton.  It was! Mike took us on a tour of the island, behind the scenes.  I saw the dreaded slide. I saw their home.  It was awesome!  

Alton has many memories of the time on Liberty Island.  From riding his green machine (bike) and crashing into the wall, almost falling into the New York Harbor, to living on the island on July 4, 1976 for the bicentennial, riding the subway to church, and the ferry to school.  I think he's pretty lucky to have had this opportunity.  I'm a bit jealous....I never left Lindon.  

We now have our own "Statue of Liberty" in our family.  This is Liberty, our niece.  The other night she wanted to pose as the statue.  We had to quickly improvise.  We used a neck pillow as her crown, grabbed the first book we could find, (glimpses by Sister Hinckley) and for the torch we used the remote.  Doesn't she make a cute "Statue of Liberty"??