My former employer, Pfizer, has a significant presence in Groton, a town just across the Thames River from New London. I spent my first July 4th holiday as an American citizen with a former colleague I knew while working in Lake Forest. He also agreed to be interviewed that day.

New London is a naval town and home to The United States Coast Guard Academy. It was once one of the three largest whaling ports in the world. That long-gone industry was responsible for much of the city's building. During the Revolutionary War, New London served as a primary port for the American Navy.

However, much of my time in New London was spent thinking and preparing for my next city, a little place called New York City.