Twenty four tons of scrap metal salvaged from the wreckage of the World Trade Center Twin Towers were melted down, and poured into molds, to form the bow stem of the new US Naval Vessel, Amphibious Transport Dock ship USS New York (LPD 21).
"The significance of where the WTC steel is located on the 684-foot-long ship symbolizes the strength and resiliency of the citizens of New York as it sails forward around the world," According to Naval Cmdr Quentin King. "It sends a message of America becoming stronger as a result, coming together as a country and ready to move forward as we make our way through the world."
The USS New York is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.
Constructed in Avondale, LA by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems (NGSS) was christened on March 1, 2008 in New Orleans. In an emotional ceremony Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England said, in part:
On the day the towers fell … all Americans were New Yorkers.
Some people still question why terrorists killed 3,000 people of 60 nationalities that day. I’ve concluded that they killed 3,000 because they did not know how to kill 30,000, 300,000 or 3 million, but they would have if they could have … and they are still trying.
This is not a war of our choosing. This is not a war we can ignore. This is not a war that will end if we walk away from the battlefield.
This fight, brought to our shores that day, is a struggle that will require strong, steady and sustained leadership with the enduring need for a strong military … and ships like NEW YORK.
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At the naming ceremony in New York City, about one year after 9-11, Governor Pataki said, “The USS New York will ensure that all New Yorkers and the world will never forget the evil attacks of September 11, and the courage and compassion New Yorkers showed in response to terror.”
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The ship’s motto was inspired by President Bush. I remember well when the President came to the Pentagon on 9-12 and met with the Pentagon’s senior civilian and military leaders.
The Pentagon was still burning. In the conference room, you could smell the smoke and jet fuel … and feel the soot in the air. Security was high, and the military was on full alert.
I recall the President telling us to Get Ready … to get the military ready. He stressed that this war will be fought on three fronts … diplomatic, economic and military, but that the military must succeed for the Nation to win. He said, “This will be a long war – not like removing a mole, but like removing a cancer.” He said that the country needed to move on and resume life as normal, but that we, who were charged with the defense of America and freedom, could never forget what happened on 9-11. The President said, “I will never forget”. He then went around the room and looked everyone squarely in the eye and said, “Never Forget … Never Forget.”
I recently recieved an email with information about this magnificent display of American might and the ability of the American people to rise from the ashes of dispair to regain the heights of freedom. I thought it important enough to share. I give you the USS New York.
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