Lady Liberty crowns holiday

NEW YORK - The first visitors allowed into the Statue of Liberty's crown in nearly eight years made the arduous climb yesterday on an Independence Day journey laden with symbolism of freedom - and for one couple, romance.

Aaron Weisinger got down on one knee on the crown's small floor, pulled out a diamond ring and proposed to his girlfriend, Erica Breder. Stunned, Breder squeezed her eyes shut as tears rolled down her cheeks and whispered an immediate yes.

"To propose in the crown was perfect," Breder said later.

Fellow visitors who ascended the total of 354 steps to the statue's crown cheered the Walnut Creek, Calif., couple.

The statue was closed to the public after the Sept. 11 attacks. The base, pedestal and outdoor observation deck were reopened in 2004, but the crown remained off-limits until new handrails and other safety measures were installed.

Seven members of the U.S. armed forces were sworn in as citizens yesterday at the statue's base.

After nightfall, more than 22 tons of pyrotechnics - the nation's biggest fireworks display - lit up a big stretch of the Hudson River. The celebration returned to Manhattan's West Side for the first time since the 9/11 attacks.

In other news about the holiday:

Turtle is free: In Key West, Fla., an ailing sea turtle that was rescued before Inauguration Day and named after President Barack Obama was set free to mark Independence Day. From the sand, it swam into the wild waters.

"Old Ironsides" salute: In Boston, the Navy's oldest commissioned warship performed its annual turnaround in the harbor. The USS Constitution - "Old Ironsides" - fired a 21-gun salute followed by 19 volleys.

Bush in Oklahoma: Former President George W. Bush surprised city leaders in Woodward, Okla. - population 12,000 - by accepting their invitation to speak at festivities celebrating the $25 million renovation of a local park. Bush was given a key to the city.

Tragedy in Fla.: Officials say one person was killed in a lightning strike at a Fourth of July gathering in Lakeland in central Florida, and at least 18 others were taken to hospitals.