The whole world is watching.

Naturally, any website is linked to anyone on the internet all around the globe. When preparing photographs and stories for the American Tobacco Historic District, I am made aware of local interest in this project from the many comments made by construction workers.

Many workers have told me how proud they are for their family members, especially their children who live in other parts of the country, to see this website and have a better understanding of the significance of this project. The pride is evident when a worker exclaims with a broad smile, "My daughter saw my picture on the internet!"

E. T. Broadway, an electrician with Bryant-Durham Electric Company, beamed about sharing news from the American Tobacco campus with his son. I found E. T. while he was concentrating over wiring diagrams in the Reed Building.

E.T.'s son is not just around the corner or in some neighboring state. His son, Thomas, is a chef at a Christian missions center in Jerusalem.

E. T. shared with me a recent communique from Thomas. The message told the stories of living in a city where timing was critical in escaping the devastation caused by suicide bombers armed with explosives and an automobile.

That's a world away from the Historic District where noise is now generated, not by bombs, but by heavy machinery in the process of creating a peaceful and joyful environment for people to live, work and play.

E. T. Broadway was sharing with me a father's pride in the noble work his son was doing, and a father's pride in being able to share, via this website, the noble work that he is doing in the Historic District.

A perhaps sobering thought from my exchange with E. T. is to once again be made aware of how blessed we are to live in a country where freedom is so free. The opportunity for private enterprise to embark on projects like the restoration of these old buildings for the public to enjoy and use is something that should not be taken for granted.

The beauty and grandeur to soon come in this completed project is not only something for the public's pleasure, but is also something for which free Americans can be so thankful and proud.