I'm Brian, the Statue of Liberty Club
Web Master, vice-president 2003-2005 and a current club member. As a collector of the Statue, I was excited to find
a club where I can learn and share with others. I searched for several years
looking for a Statue of Liberty club until the "word of mouth" made it to me.
With the Internet's global reach, I didn't want anybody with Internet
access to search for a Statue of Liberty Club and not find us. I taught myself HTML programming and off to work I went.
In September 1998, Brian took his girlfriend to the Statue of Liberty to
propose to her. Read about the marriage proposal!
Liberty Island Marriage Proposal
September 18, 1998
The Couple
Brian has been a member of The Statue of Liberty Club (SLC) for many years and
is the vice-president and web master responsible for creating and maintaining
the club web site. His girlfriend has contracted the "Liberty Illness" and shares Brian's interest in collecting memorabilia and helping others know more about our great symbol of democracy and freedom.
She was Brian's travel agent for many months before they started dating in 1996.
The Ring
The ring was a tie-in to the whole theme of proposing on Liberty Island. The torch is one of the most detailed parts of the statue and wanted the ring to resemble it. Several ring designers were interviewed and one was commissioned to design and make
her ring. They did such a good job, they made Brian's ring too.
The Boat Ride
With some special help they were allowed on the staff boat to visit Liberty Island before the general public. This allowed private time with no on-lookers. The sky was clear for the first time in several days as the sun rose over the city and illuminated the statue.
Photos by Peter B. Kaplan
Peter B., Preferred Photographer for the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Foundation, met them on the boat and escorted them to a location at one of the points of old Fort Wood where the statue would be behind them. Peter placed them and started taking their pictures
as she still did not know what was about to happen.
The Question
As Peter was taking pictures of the lovely couple, Brian turned to her and said something about love, forever, children, travel and marriage. The tears started building up in her eyes as Brian proceeded to ask the magical question, "Will you marry me?"
The Answer
"Yes" she said as the tears started flowing. His wife now "carries a torch for Brian."
Touring the Statue of Liberty
Being on Liberty Island several hours before the crowds allowed for a personal self-guided tour of the statue and museum.
Colbar Art Tour
Later that afternoon they toured the manufacturing facility of Colbar Art where all the quality green statues are made and sold around the world. Here waited yet another wonderful surprise. Ovideu Collea, owner of Colbar Art Inc., presented the couple with a special silver plated statue especially created to commemorate the marriage proposal which included an engraved plaque.
Dinner Cruise
Before the proposal day, she suggested a dinner cruise aboard the World Yacht which included an evening boat tour of the harbor and Liberty Island. A wonderful dinner was served as they viewed NYC's skyline.
The Dance
The happy couple started out the dancing on the cruise when the band played "Can't Help Falling in Love With You."
Private Balcony
They ended the evening on a private balcony, arm in arm as the boat circled the beautifully lit Statue of Liberty.
Wedding Date
They were married on March 6, 1999.
The Beginning!
They had their first son on May 8, 2000, and their second son was born on July 9, 2002.
My favorite place - Liberty's crown.
It's amazing the emails I receive from around the world with people saying how grateful they were to find out there are others that collect Her and their excitement to join the club.
Liberty never looked so good! Grand opening - NY NY Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas.
2002 NY NY Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas.
Everyone has a story of why they are attracted to America's icon. For me it started in college while staring at a poster with the Statue on it and deciding to write a paper on her history. Little did I know, my Grandfather got his first glimpse of the Statue as a young boy standing on the ship's deck pulling into New York Harbor from Italy. I was fascinated by his story and learned to appreciate all for which our Statue stands.
The living Statue of Liberty, New York City
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