Lady Liberty Now More Accessible
SAMBOLIN: Welcome back to EARLY START. It is 51 minutes past the hour. You are taking a live look at the picture of Lady Liberty. And her torch is nice and lit up there. New York's Lady Liberty has a new look after a yearlong, multimillion dollar makeover. Before reopening to the public this weekend, I had an exclusive tour inside the Statue of Liberty, along with some of our wounded warriors.</s>SAMBOLIN (voice-over): The Statue of Liberty's crown and interior have been closed for a year. But for retired Marine Corps' Larry Hughes, it's seemingly been longer. That's because the observation level of this iconic symbol of freedom was not wheelchair accessible until today.</s>LARRY HUGHES, MARINE CORPS (RET.), VIETNAM VETERAN: Wow! amazing.</s>SAMBOLIN: Hughes, a Vietnam vet, is taking the inaugural ride in a newly installed elevator to the statue's observation deck.</s>HUGHES: Just to be here was something that never really entered into my mind, because simply I hate to be turned down. I hate to be rejected. So I'm no longer being rejected. I'm being here.</s>SAMBOLIN (voice-over): The new elevator is just part of a year-long, $30 million renovation, that also includes upgrading stairwells and making safety improvements. The end result, a more accessible Lady Liberty that will allow an additional 26,000 visitors each year a chance to enjoy her spectacular views.</s>KIRK BAUER, VIETNAM VETERAN: When these adaptations are made, it opens up tremendous opportunities for all of us.</s>SAMBOLIN (voice-over): Among the first to see the new renovations, two generations of severely wounded warriors. I joined Kirk Bauer, who lost his leg in Vietnam, and Jesse Acosta, who suffered injuries to his hip in a roadside bomb in Iraq, on the 146-step climb to the top. (on-camera): So you stuck your head out of --</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The crown!</s>SAMBOLIN: The crown. Very cool. What do you think? Is it what you expected?</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fantastic. Actually, it's more tight than I thought looking up, but it isjust an incredible view.</s>SAMBOLIN (voice-over): The renovation was full of challenges because of the statue's location and because they had to do it all without drilling into any part of the historic structure.</s>MICHAEL MILLS, ARCHITECT: It was a challenge, a huge challenge, because we had to envision all of this, make this building more safe, more code compliant, more accessible, more welcoming. And do it in a way that respected the historic fabric.</s>JESSE ACOSTA, IRAQ VETERAN: It's very impressive, what they did, to see the investment in these days, in a World Heritage site, to allow those with perceived disabilities, those that need access, to see some of our historical sites, to be able to touch it and see it that much closer. It's really generous, really wonderful to be here.</s>SAMBOLIN: For the statute superintendent, David Luchsinger, who has lived on Liberty Island for more than three years, this moment among the most memorable.</s>DAVID LUCHSINGER, SUPERINTENDENT, STATUE OF LIBERTY: To be able to welcome our veterans home, and welcome them here, and actually get veterans up into the crown and up into the observation deck is just amazing.</s>SAMBOLIN: Grateful construction workers saluting America's heroes on this historic visit.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We want to give you a token of thanks, first for coming out and visiting with us, but most importantly, for the service and the dedication that you've done for our country.</s>BAUER: They were thanking us. We should be thanking them. Because they're the ones that are making it possible. They're the hands that made this monument open to everyone, including those with disabilities.</s>SAMBOLIN (voice-over): Restored Lady Liberty truly representing a symbol of freedom for all to enjoy.</s>SAMBOLIN: And work on the monument is expected to be completed early next year. If you are interested the in visiting the Statue of Liberty's crown, it opens on Sunday. Tickets are available online. However, demand is so high, the National Park Service says they are already sold out through the end of the year. But I still wish you luck, because what an experience.</s>BERMAN: That was a beautiful piece. And you had a beautiful view.</s>SAMBOLIN: I did have a beautiful view and with those guys, I want to say thank you to Larry, Kirk, and Jesse, because they made this one of the most memorable experiences of my life. It was fantastic. Thank you. Today's best advice, coming up.