STRENGTH
FORGED
THROUGH
SACRIFICE -
NEVER
FORGET

Ed and I had the honor of touring the U.S.S. New York (LPD 21) two weeks ago as part of employee family day at the shipbuilding facility. This opportunity was made extra special by our personal tour guide - our son David, who, along with our son-in-law Mark, provided IT services to the vessel. In fact, David proudly showed us the ramp where he "left many of his butt prints" during the many times he slipped on the rather steep ramp while setting up the computer equipment onboard the vessel BEFORE the non-stick surface was applied. We have been following the ship's progress since the very beginning and found the experience very moving -- it's like saying goodbye to an old friend -- and a fellow Hurricane Katrina survivor. We also had the chance to meet many of the ship's crewmembers.

 

In the photo on the left, Ed and I are standing on one of the helicopter markings on the rear of the ship. The photo on the right shows David playing with a mounted 50 calibur machine gun (unloaded, we hope). We were not allowed to bring cameras but they did allow us to take a few shots from a telephone camera.

WHY IS THIS SHIP SO SPECIAL?

Why is this ship so special? The U.S.S. New York, an amphibious transport dock ship of the San Antonio class, is named in honor of the victims of the World Trade Center terrorists attack. New York Governor George Pataki requested that the Navy revive the name USS New York in honor of September 11's victims and to give it to a surface warship involved in the war on terror. Steel salvaged from the World Trade Center wreckage (approximately 7.5 tons) was used in the construction of the USS New York. On August 4, 2005, the LPD 21's bow stem with its World Trade Center steel was erected into the main hull and will forever lead the future USS New York. The complete bow was erected into place in March 2006. Two other vessels are currently being built to honor the other victims of September 11. The U.S.S. Arlington will honor the victims of the Pentagon, while the U.S.S. Somerset recognizes the passengers/heroes of United Airlines Flight 93. The name is derived from Somerset County, Pennsylvania, the location of the crash.

Here is an image of the ship's crest and its meaning.

For more information on this great vessel, visit the official website.

To complete the U.S.S. New York's bond with this area, she also has built into her wood taken from two fishing vessels that were destroyed during Hurricane Katrina.

FROM THE BIG EASY TO THE BIG APPLE

This past Tuesday. we bid a very bittersweet bon voyage to the U.S.S. New York. Well wishers lined the levees on both sides of the Mississippi River, all the way down to the mouth of the River in Venice, Louisiana (approx 50 miles), to say goodbye to the U.S.S. New York and her crew. It was very fitting that the morning of her voyage home to her commissioning in New York City was extremely foggy, and her departure was delayed a couple of hours. Her travel down the Mississippi was extremely slow, but it gave us an opportunity to delay her departure just a little longer.

Here is a video that we shot which I have posted on YouTube. I edited it down to about four minutes. Please bear in mind that I'm not very good with a camcorder.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCM2fa1BX_M

U.S.S. NEW YORK IS GOING HOME
FOR COMMISSIONING CEREMONIES
AND A HERO'S WELCOME

Here is the vessel's itinerary as listed on the official website.

At approximately 8:00 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 2, the yet-to-be commissioned ship will come to a halt in the Hudson River. There, opposite the former World Trade Center site, USS NEW YORK (LPD-21) will dip her colors, fire a 21-gun salute to the people of her namesake city and state, and proceed to Pier 88 to be formally inducted into the Fleet five days later at a shipboard ceremony.Special programs are planned for that morning. While she is docked at Pier 88, on 12th Avenue at 48th Street near the Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum, USS NEW YORK (LPD-21) will be open to the public, free of any charge, on a first-come first-served basis, at specific times and dates. Click HERE for more info.

I would strongly recommend that anyone in the area take part in these events -- to honor the victims and the heroes of 9/11 AND pay respect to the men and women who serve our country on this vessel. Even though Ed and I have a personal interest in this vessel, those who didn't but participated in her sail-away celebration were overwhelmed with emotion. It was truly a moving experience.