July 4, 1776. Liberty!

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-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

------------"The New Collosus" by Emma Lazarus

To those who have come before
To seek refuge, relief
Freedom, success, and fame
We say thank you.
To those who support, defend
And insure liberty
Across our land
We say Thank You.
To those who seek, struggle, and strive
We say welcome.
----T9