I once again return to that cold November crossing of the North Atlantic of 1956.
And again we return to the deck of the Queen Elizabeth.
And again. . . my brother.
I, at the young age of 18 months, was not proving, I guess, to be very photogenic.
But the photo does have a great monument to all immigrants to this great land.
My dad and brother, 1956, with that great lady in the back ground.
Sepia Saturday 220
What an icon photo you have. Nice post! :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes we have to be reminded how important some of our symbols are.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by.
I like the hat too, and you're wearing one of those coats that are longer than your short trousers. Are you sure you're only 18 months old? You look older than that.
ReplyDeleteMay dad was holding my brother who would have been almost four.
DeleteI love the hat. A friend of my parents made the coat for my brother.
I forget, sometimes, just how important the Statue of Liberty is; thanks for the gentle reminder!
ReplyDeleteI never did ask what it meant to him. I will have to ask my mother, who I would imagine was just glad at that moment not to be sea-sick anymore.
DeleteOn my first visit to New York City, I saw the Statue of Liberty. I'm not a very emotional person, but the symbolism and stories of the immigrant experience rushed over me when I saw her in the harbor.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we forget, since we don't travel that way any more, how many people she greeted.
DeleteThe photographs of and including the Statue of Liberty as seen by your parents made me stop and imagine what it would have meant to them after crossing 2500 miles of ocean to begin a new life in a new country and seeing her there to greet them. As you say, sometimes we need to be reminded of the importance of the symbols we tend to take for granted.
ReplyDeleteAnd in Nov., it can be a rough crossing.
DeleteVery curious pattern on the back of that man's coat. I'm almost wondering if he's meant to put patches on it. You know how we used to collect and sew patches or badges on our clothes (well I didn't but you could if you wanted to) of places we had been. They used to sell them in tourist shops....just a thought.
ReplyDeleteYea, not sure what that is all about, but it is curious.
DeleteWhat a wonderful photo on the deck of the Queen Elizabeth. A true Gem.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed cherished.
DeleteI was thinking of doing a Statue of Liberty post this week, but opted for something else instead, so it's nice to see someone has featured her.
ReplyDeleteWould love to have seen what you would have come up with.
DeleteI had a series of images already collected, but they cam wait for another opportunity.
DeleteYou have us interested now.
DeleteI was anticipating someone would show the Statue of Liberty this week. I could not have foreseen ii in a family snap like this. Photos to cherish.
ReplyDeleteI do indeed cherish it.
DeleteThanks for stopping by.
Your title reminded me that I want to see the "Monuments Men" movie.
ReplyDeleteIt is on my to-do list also.
DeleteThe personal touch really makes this post most noteworthy...I'm awestruck not only with the statue but with the Queen Elizabeth...both have historic significance...and you and your family are part of the history of both.
ReplyDeleteI have a box with keepsakes from both.
DeleteShe is a grand gal. I've only seen her from a distance in New York, but I did see the one in Paris much closer. I guess she's the little sister.
ReplyDeleteI like the little sister analogy.
DeleteIt is difficult to imagine how your parents felt at this time (I assume that your mother is taking the photos). A wonderful photo to have.
ReplyDeleteAs the story goes; "We were only coming over for a few years to help moms sister. . . . ."
DeleteThat was 56 years ago.
I don't think they had the same perspective as people not expecting to return to their birth homes. But I am sure it was still very profound. Gradually a visit became a life time.
Great that you have a photograph of your family's first point of arrival in the USA aboard the Queen Elizabeth. I've seen the Statue of Liberty from the Staten Island ferry but it didn't stop there, and at the time in 2005 the crown of the statue was still closed to the public following the 9/11 attacks.
ReplyDeleteI wish I remembered the boat ride.
DeleteBut alas. . . .
Did go back and see the Lady in 1972 while in high school.
A great photo of a tender moment indeed, and yes his coat does have a curious design on it.
ReplyDeleteI just love the photo.
DeleteBoth times I've been to New York has coincided with scaffolding all over the Statue of Liberty, so I am yet to see it properly.
ReplyDeleteAn excuse for another trip perhaps?
Do you ever really need an excuse to travel?
Delete