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Caption: Liberty Island, N.Y., July 4, 2013--After being closed for 8 months to repair the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, National Park Rangers Erin Schoppmeyer and Taylor DeFranco were eager to welcome back visitors to the Statue of Liberty. K.C.Wilsey/FEMA

Keywords: FEMA, Hurricane Sandy, July 4th, Liberty Island, NY4085, Statue of Liberty, ceremony, opening

Liberty Island, N.Y., July 4, 2013--After being closed for 8 months to repair the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, National Park Rangers Erin Schoppmeyer and Taylor DeFranco were eager to welcome back visitors to the Statue of Liberty. K.C.Wilsey/FEMA Liberty Island, N.Y., July 4, 2013--Visitors from around the world returned to Liberty Island for the official reopening of the Statue of Liberty. Hurricane Sandy flooded 75% of the island in October 2012 causing major damage to its infrastructure and facilities. The Statue was reopened on July 4th following eight months of extensive repairs. K.C.Wilsey/FEMA Liberty Island, N.Y., July 4, 2013--Crowds of people arrived back at Liberty Island for the official reopening of the Statue of Liberty. Eight months ago the island suffered heavy damages during Hurricane Sandy as 75% of it was under water. The Parks Department is working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the new Flood Elevation Maps and will work that into their mitigation. K.C.Wilsey/FEMA Liberty Island, N.Y., July 4, 2013--Visitors from around the world returned to Liberty Island for the official reopening of the Statue of Liberty. Hurricane Sandy flooded 75% of the island in October 2012 causing major damage to its infrastructure and facilities. The Statue was reopened on July 4th following eight months of extensive repairs. K.C.Wilsey/FEMA Liberty Island, N.Y., July 4, 2013--The Media gets set up to cover the official reopening ceremony for the Statue of Liberty and Liberty Island which will reopen to the public for the first time since Hurricane Sandy made landfall on October 29, 2012. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell will join New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis, New Jersey Senator Robert Menedez and other dignitaries in a ceremony and ribbon cutting on Liberty Island to celebrate. K.C.Wilsey/FEMA Liberty Island, N.Y., July 4, 2013--The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Fife and Drum Corps prepared to perform at the Liberty Island reopening ceremony. Visitors from around the world returned to Liberty Island for the official reopening of the Statue of Liberty. Hurricane Sandy flooded 75% of the island in October 2012 causing major damage to its infrastructure and facilities. The Statue was reopened following eight months of extensive repairs. K.C.Wilsey/FEMA Liberty Island, N.Y., July 4, 2013--The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Fife and Drum Corps prepared to perform at the Liberty Island reopening ceremony. Visitors from around the world returned to Liberty Island for the official reopening of the Statue of Liberty. Hurricane Sandy flooded 75% of the island in October 2012 causing major damage to its infrastructure and facilities. The Statue was reopened following eight months of extensive repairs. K.C.Wilsey/FEMA Liberty Island, N.Y., July 4, 2013--The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Fife and Drum Corps prepared to perform at the Liberty Island reopening ceremony. Visitors from around the world returned to Liberty Island for the official reopening of the Statue of Liberty. Hurricane Sandy flooded 75% of the island in October 2012 causing major damage to its infrastructure and facilities. The Statue was reopened following eight months of extensive repairs. K.C.Wilsey/FEMA Liberty Island, N.Y., July 4, 2013--Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell joins New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg at the official Reopening Ceremony for the Statue of Liberty and Liberty Island which reopens to the public today for the first time since Hurricane Sandy made landfall on October 29, 2012. Along with National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis, New Jersey Senator Robert Menedez and other dignitaries they are participating in a ceremony and ribbon cutting on Liberty Island to celebrate the reopening. K.C.Wilsey/FEMA Liberty Island, N.Y., July 4, 2013--Visitors from around the world returned to Liberty Island for the official reopening of the Statue of Liberty. Hurricane Sandy flooded 75% of the island in October 2012 causing major damage to its infrastructure and facilities. The Statue was reopened on July 4th following eight months of extensive repairs. K.C.Wilsey/FEMA