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"There is the story of o­ne young seaman o­n his first voyage, who had the early evening watch as his ship made it up the coast (of the Jersey Shore) o­n its way to New York harbor. After first reporting "All's well" he suddenly yelled "Elephant!!"

The captain thinking the seaman had gone berserk rushed to the deck. Lifting his looking glass to the shoreline he also exclaimed: "Elephant!" Wiped off his glass and after a second look, confirmed the fact that there was a giant beast standing among the dunes and eel grass of lower Absecon Island."

Since 1881, Lucy the Elephant has stood watch over our shore lines. Today I went to stand with her.