Volume XXVII
Irving Berlin, himself a Jewish immigrant wrote a Broadway musical
“Lady Liberty.” And within the show
was a song, based on the poem by
Emma Lazarus – “Give Me Your Tired,
Your Poor.” Patricia Fussell will sing
this hymn.
Tom Cox has brought together a
choral group to present the music
today accompanied by Dennis Mellander. They will perform two songs:
“ Let Freedom Ring” and “God Bless
the U.S.A.”
Before we conclude with today’s
program, please stand and join Kayla
Fussell in singing the National Anthem.
Donations can still be made to the
Strengthen the Arm of Liberty project to help defray the cost of the
landscaping. Checks can be sent to
the LeRoy Historical Society, PO Box
176, LeRoy, NY 14482.
LEROY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
In 1883, Americans had not been
able to raise enough funds to build
the base for the Statue of Liberty in
New York on Bedloe Island. A young
Jewish writer, by the name of Emma
Lazarus, wrote a sonnet. They say that
words are mightier than the sword
and with her words, Emma Lazarus
changed forever the symbolism of
the Statue of Liberty. She would become the Mother of immigrants. Listen closely to the words as Elizabeth
Bolton Reads “The New Colossus.”
The New Colossus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek
fame,
With conquering limbs astride from
land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset
gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch,
whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her
name
Mother of Exiles. From her
beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her
mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin
cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied
pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired,
your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to
breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your
teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless,
tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
23 East Main Street
Le Roy, New York 14482
(continued from page 5)
Number 3
2016
23 East Main Street • PO Box 176 • Le Roy, New York 14482
Strengthen the Arm
of Liberty Project
Nearly Complete
LeRoy’s Statue of Liberty has been
repaired and now stands on a new
three- ton cement plinth surrounded
by a completely new landscape. The
Statue of Liberty was rededicated on
July 17, on Sunday afternoon of the
Oatka Festival. The following excerpt
is from the rededication:
This afternoon’s program is a musical tribute to the ideals and symbols
that are embodied in this proud lady
that the people of LeRoy have restored. She stands here today, as her
sister stands in New York Harbor, as a
tribute to the steadfast commitment
of the American people to democracy
and the force to overcome tyranny.
She is a reminder that for over two
hundred years Americans have given
their lives to ensure that our liberty is
preserved and the United States is a
safe haven for all who believe in our
principals. When the Statue of Liberty
in New York was dedicated in 1886, she
was a gift from the people of France
who so admired the American Constitution and the democratic process. Our Lady Liberty, was one of 200
statues that were commissioned
as part of the 40th Anniversary of
the Boy Scouts of America in 1950,
known as Strengthen the Arm of
Liberty. Ours was purchased by the
LeRoy Moose Club and dedicated to
the Boy Scouts. On that day, 2,300 Boy
Scouts marched down Main Street,
and a military air salute flew over the
crowd. In 1986, during the 100th Anniversary of the Statue in New York
harbor, the LeRoy statue was repaired.
Our Lady was lucky. In many communities the statues fell into disrepair.
They were scrapped, or removed.
Some were lost - - only recently to
Photo taken by
Bobby Lathan
be found like the one in Alaska.
This past year has been a
wonderful journey, discovering the
stories behind the Statue of Liberty
and more importantly the stories
around our Miss Liberty. The journey
has included historical architects, art
preservationists and conservators,
students, class alumni, landscapers,
cement companies, farm market
owners - - even folks in the State
Historical Preservation office at
Peebles Island. And if I had tried, I
would have never imagined that
we could hit the front page of the
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
from top to bottom – extending
above the masthead. And just a
short note - - and an example of the
interesting stories that have come
from this project - -when the D&C sent
out their photographer, Carlos Ortiz,
(continued on page 2)
Fall Chicken
and Rib BBQ
Sunday,
September 18
11:00 am
Trigon Park
Help support
The Historical
Society
½ chicken, salt potatoes, cold slaw,
roll, cookies – $10
¼ chicken and ribs, salt potatoes,
cold slaw, roll, cookies – $12
BBQ ribs, salt potatoes, cold slaw, roll,
cookies - $15
Curbside pick up on Trigon Park.