“Just because people are wearing the same costume doesn’t mean they’re the same.”

Beyond A Costume

The color of the cross-arm changed. That was the signal I’d been hoping to see at the end of a two-hour drive. It meant I could go into the parking terrace, park my car and walk into the air terminal to catch my upcoming flight. Upon finding a suitable parking space, I unloaded my two bags. Then, I walked toward the swooshing doors that would magically slide, to welcome all visitors; even exceptionally tall ones.

Such was the case at this moment, when a seemingly, redwood-tall-man approached the enchanted entrance with me. I say redwood-tall, not because his hair had any red color in it, but because of his height. He would be noticeable anywhere because of his stature. And, in this instance he was also noticeable because of this broad, warm smile.

While looking up toward the top of this tree-high man, I could see his head dip slightly as he said hello and offered a “good afternoon.” It was the opening I’d hoped for, because of my curiosity.

“How tall are you?” I asked, adding a quick follow-up statement. “You almost bumped your head walking through that first door!”

“Yes,” he replied genially. “I know I really won’t bump my head here, but its close enough that I still seem to duck just a little every time.”

His comment suggested a familiarity with those swooshing doors, so I looked a little closer and lower on his trunk. And, sure enough, there was a lanyard dangling from his neck which identified him as an employee of the airport we were walking in to. The identification tag, swinging from the lanyard, was accentuated by his long-sleeved shirt and full-length trousers, both fully navy blue; his work clothes, a costume so to speak.

Had he been wearing a different costume, I may have mistaken him for a professional basketball player.  But, he wore no jersey or fancy sweat suit.

“I’m six-foot-seven,” he offered with a slight laugh, highlighting his voice. “My mom and dad are five-foot-three and five-foot-four. If I didn’t look like my mom and dad I would have thought something fishy was happening, as I’m the only one this tall in my family.” 

His short family history and commentary, somehow prompted my remembrance of the story of American Hero, Samuel Fraunces. 

During the American Revolutionary War, Fraunces was a patriot and a spy for the American side. General Washington and his officers celebrated the end of the war with a farewell banquet at Fraunces Tavern, which is still in operation and located in lower Manhattan, on December 4, 1783.

In 1785, Congress recognized Fraunces's role in foiling a 1776 assassination plot against Washington. Since Washington’s life had been spared, he was inaugurated as first President of the United States on April 30, 1789. And, Samuel served as steward of the presidential household in both New York City between 1789-1790 and Philadelphia between 1791-1794.

Samuel Fraunces retired from the presidential household in 1794, and then took over operation of a Philadelphia tavern. He died the following year. His obituary remembered him, in the Gazette of the United States, October 13, 1795 saying, "DIED - On Saturday Evening last, MR. SAMUEL FRAUNCES, aged 73 years. By his death, Society has sustained the loss of an honest man, and the Poor a valuable friend."

Interestingly, since the middle of the 19th century, there has been a dispute about Samuel Fraunces' racial identity. Was he white or was he of African descent? This is, in the minds of some, an interesting question since his nick name was “Black Sam,” and he was born in the West Indies. And, in March 2003, the Independence Hall Association urged the National Park Service to resolve this dispute. They have not done so. 

Perhaps they haven’t done so because, the exceptional life of Samuel Fraunces speaks for itself. He is an American hero and was a true friend to George Washington and other luminaries of his day. Any costumes, in the form of clothing or other labels, he may have worn, potentially leading others to make uninformed conclusions as to the character and depth of the man are meaningless.

And, when a seemingly redwood-tall-man approached the enchanted entrance of an international airport with me just a few ago, we talked with each other. And, in this instance, I learned he was also most notable because of this broad, warm and friendly smile, no matter the costume he may have been wearing at the moment.

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