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| Saturday, June 28, 2008 |
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USS New York -built with 24 tons of scrap steel from World Trade Center
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Editors note: a friend sent me this article about the USS New York. It brought me back to the tragedy of 9/11/2001. This is a true monument to those who died that day, and their families who still suffer. The official launch took place this year. There is a link to the site at the end of the article. dmh
USS New York
It was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center
It is the fifth in a new class of warships - 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.
Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite , LA to cast the ship's bow section. When it was poured into the molds on Sept 9, 2003, 'those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence,' recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. 'It was a spiritual moment for
everybody there.'
Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the 'hair on my neck stood up.' 'It had
a big meaning to it for all of us,' he said. 'They knocked us down.
They can't keep us down. We're going to be back.' The ship's motto?
'Never Forget'
A ship’s name is important.
The tradition within the Naval Service is to name ships in honor of great national or military leaders … or heroes who sacrificed for the defense of freedom … or battles … fought to secure our liberties … or great American communities that represent the resiliency, vitality and spirit of America.
Ships, with names like Constitution, Pearl Harbor and Iwo Jima, are also a reminder to our citizens ... that for over 230 years Americans before us … sacrificed their lives and fortunes to defend freedom and liberty … for all peoples throughout the world.
Ship names provide a legacy … and for the Sailors and Marines who sail in those ships ….they are a source of strength … and inspiration.
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.”
USS New York, and her sister ships, the USS Arlington and USS Somerset, will be living tributes to every hero who died at the World Trade Centers … at the Pentagon …and on United Flight 93, which crashed in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
We must remember all of our fallen citizens as they would have wanted us to … men and women who were free … as Americans.
These three ships … these Champions of Freedom, stand for “life, liberty … and the pursuit of all who threaten it” and will ensure that we NEVER FORGET … 11 September 2001. They will take the fight to all who threaten peace and freedom.
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.
Check out the website.
http://www.ussnewyork.com/
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