VALLEY: NYC trilogy conclusion — probably

June 18, 2008 01:18 pm

— My excursion to New York City included a trip to the Statue of Liberty — or as my grandson, Jack, called it: The lady in the water giving a high-five. I must admit that it was impressive. I made sure that the three grandkids who accompanied us walked over and put their hands on the front cornerstone of this American icon, so that in the future, when they see pictures of Lady Liberty, they can make claim that they actually touched it.
When my granddaughter Emma questioned the motive for that action, I simply said, “Well, it’s been here for a long time and that’s significant enough, for now.”
“But so have you and Grammy!”
My son, Paul, and his wife, Jeanne, went into the souvenir shop and bought the obligatory 50-cent trinkets for eight bucks a piece. My wife, one never to miss a bargain like that, followed suit and in a short two hour span scooped up enough stuff to warrant three extra ferry boats to haul the crap back to shore.
I thought I’d be the economically-wise one and just pick a couple of leaves from the trees on the island. Thusly, saving a few bucks and still have a memento. Unfortunately, the money I spent on antibiotic ointment for spider bites later in the day canceled all notions of anticipated savings.
Being Memorial Day weekend, as well as Fleet Week in the Big Apple, the area was inundated with military personnel. There were soldiers and sailors all over the place. And taking a page from my brother, Tim, a retired military officer, I thought I’d show some courtesy to those men and women who are in the service of our country.
Tim has a habit of nodding to anyone in uniform and saying, “Thanks for serving.” It always elicits a warm smile of appreciation and you can tell that he has just made that person’s day.
When we were back at the hotel and getting ready to go to the New York Yankees game, I came upon a man in uniform. My family was with me and I thought I’d make them proud of what I was about to say (They knew not of my brother’s habit nor was I about to give him credit for what I was going to do).
“Thanks for serving,” I bellowed to the uniformed gent.
Suddenly, instead of the awe and admiration that I had expected, I sensed a gasp of indignation and faint sounds of chagrin coming from my own family.
“Did I say something wrong?” I asked.
My son volunteered.
“He’s the doorman.”
Our day continued and ended with our trip to Yankee Stadium. It was the last night of our stay in the city. The city that is said to have a thousand stories. I can vouch for quite a few. I, alone, got three columns out of it. I wrote a trilogy! How about that? Not exactly on par with the number of Rambo sequels gathering dust on video shelves, but it’s a start.
We had a glorious time in New York.
If you’ve read all three of my articles about New York City, many thanks! You’re a real trooper — a distinguished soldier of this column’s faithful.
Thanks for serving!
And that’s the way it looks from the Valley.
Tom Valley is a Medina resident. His column runs every Thursday. Write to Tvalley@rochester.rr.com.

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