“She’s back!”

… as of about quarter past 6 tonight, she is indeed. 11 PM UPDATE – More below, including the first-ever WSB video clips:

It was a short but glorious rededication, before a hearteningly sized crowd, serenaded by patriotic favorites from the West Seattle Big Band, regaled with blessedly short (the sound system wasn’t projecting very well) speeches by Mayor Nickels and Councilmember Rasmussen. But just before the gala unveiling — came the reveiling, or should we say the preveiling — thanks to Dan for these pre-ceremony photos:

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Tonight’s ceremony managed to mix joy and solemnity without ever striking the wrong note: the joy of the recast statue’s unveiling, the solemnity of the 9/11 anniversary. The mayor led the crowd in a moment of silence, and noted the presence of more than a few Seattle police and firefighters — including a city fireboat’s spray of salute offshore — as well as Boy Scouts on hand in honor of the fact that the original statue was a gift from their organization more than half a century ago. Maybe we’re just mushy at heart, but when the mayor read from the Declaration of Independence, we got all teary. It was just one of those nights … another crystal-clear sky and blazing September sun, just like the original 9/11, but this time, the focus lingered on who had arrived, rather than who had gone.

ADDENDUM: The video camera we purchased from the proceeds of WSB Pledge Day two weeks ago arrived via FedEx barely an hour before our crew headed for Alki tonight. We promise future endeavors will be of much better quality, but despite its amateurishness we want to share some of tonight’s video anyway — bear with us — first the unveiling and the mayor’s Declaration reading; check back for a couple more …

Next clip features Jen VanOrnum talking to our videographer about the Alki Elementary kids’ art project shown off at Lady Liberty’s base tonight:

Last addition — Bob Bollen sent a few pix (thank you!!!!) — first an excellent closeup of the guest dignitaries; then, the beautiful offshore sight during the dedication:

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The House September 11, 2007 (8:24 pm)

Don’t know about the rest of you, but I couldn’t think of a more appropriate day (perhaps July 4th) for this to go up. I personally can’t believe how LITTLE I’ve heard about the September 11th attack on the US (shame on the media). Although I wasn’t able to attend the return of Lady Liberty, I’m curious to hear if the city dedicated the statue to any of the men and women that were victimized Sept. 11, 2001?

Dis September 11, 2007 (9:21 pm)

Yes. There was a moment of silence for those who died during 9/11 and the police and fire were also acknowledged (those who worked the 9/11 inferno, and those who died therein). Also acknowldeged the men and women in the armed service, I believe.

grateful September 11, 2007 (10:08 pm)

It is really cool to see video footage on this site! Being out of town this week, I was bummed to miss tonight’s festivities at Alki. Thanks for sharing it with us. I hope you know what you have gotten yourself into, you keep setting the bar higher & higher for this blog!!!

The House September 11, 2007 (10:37 pm)

Thanks for the update, Dis.

Bill September 12, 2007 (7:38 am)

House, where I work the “media” is on flat screens ad-nauseum all day long in the waiting rooms. 9/11 is pretty much all that occupied the airtime.

Megan September 12, 2007 (11:56 am)

I work at a school, we had a moment of silence, plus a flag ceremony. NPR talked about 6 years after. Oprah did the Children of 9/11. Even at the Mariners game, they did something (not much litte say win) but the flag was put at half mast
Overall a lot of coverage of 9-11.

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