Anthony Soraci, then 29, remembers the precarious perch he occupied 265 feet above ground as he planted a kiss on the Statue of Liberty’s head, a moment captured in an iconic photograph that drew praise from President Ronald Reagan.
The daring act occurred during the massive, four-year restoration project of the Statue of Liberty that began in 1984. Soraci, a tradesman with no fear of heights, was part of the union crew tasked with the intricate work.
A Perilous but Patriotic Task
"One slip and it was over, you weren’t coming back from that fall," Soraci told The Post, recalling the inherent dangers of the job. He explained that wearing a harness was not feasible due to the scaffolding construction method. "You couldn’t wear a harness because we were spiking scaffolding on the way up. If you wore a harness you couldn’t build it, we were going around that statue multiple times a day."
Soraci, who served as shop steward, prioritized the safety of his fellow workers, ensuring only experienced individuals were on the scaffolding. The daily ascent to bring lunch and tools underscored the project's unique logistical challenges.
He described the restoration as a "historical" and "patriotic" endeavor. The work offered him unparalleled views, including a close-up of the broken shackles and chains beneath Lady Liberty’s draperies, details rarely visible from ground level.
Presidential Recognition
The iconic image resonated beyond the worksite, capturing national attention. In the summer of 1986, President Reagan referenced the photograph twice during his speech celebrating America's 210th birthday and the statue's centennial.
"Many of us have seen the picture of another worker here, a tool belt around his waist, balanced on a narrow metal rod of scaffolding, leaning over to place a kiss on the forehead of Miss Liberty," Reagan said, quoting Soraci's sentiment that it was "Something to tell my grandchildren."
Soraci, now 71, expressed pride in his heritage, knowing his immigrant grandparents would have been proud of his contribution to restoring the landmark.
A Lasting Legacy
He called the unexpected attention to the photograph "fantastic" and considered it an honor to be part of restoring one of America's most recognizable symbols. He vividly remembers seeing marchers on Liberty Island during a parade, appearing like "ants" from his elevated vantage point.
Despite being of retirement age, Soraci continues to work, running his contracting business in Texas. "I’ll never stop. I enjoy working, I love it," he stated.