911 Families - USS New York Commissioning

USS New York Commissioning

Photo Taken Monday, November 2, 2009.

At 9:55 PM every evening a prayer is shared on board all ships in the 
US Navy Fleet.  Following are the words shared by Chaplain Laura Bender 
aboard the USS NEW YORK on October 13, 2009 as the ship left to travel 
to New York for the commissioning ceremony and on November 1, 2009 
the night before arriving in the New York harbor.

Prayer from October 13, 2009

Almighty God, what  a day we have had! We began early getting 
everything set for our ship to sail  away, manned and ready with her 
crew – us –on board for the very first time!  Then the moment came – 
we shifted colors, and slowly, carefully we began to  move away from 
the pier. 


Sometimes it is  difficult to know the precise moment when a journey 
begins. Did it start when  we first thought it was possible? Did it begin 
when we first put our hand to  the doing of it? Today NEW YORK 
began a journey that will span most of our lifetimes. And we were 
here at her beginning.


Every plan for this  ship that was conceived, every joint that was 
welded, every instruction that  was written, every box that was carried 
and unpacked and readied for sea, all  the training, watch standing, 
learning to work together, learning our equipment  - all of it is what has 
brought us to this day.


Who  could man the rails today and not be moved by the coming 
together of planning and implementation that has resulted in our ship? 
Who could stand and not feel  their heart strangely warmed by the 
outpouring of patriotism from the local  communities who lined the 
levees? We were greeted and blessed by all those we  sailed past – 
cheering schoolchildren, retired veterans, flag waving citizens, proud  
ship builders, local industrial workers, military members and siren 
sounding first  responders all pausing to see the Phoenix risen from the 
ashes. So many came  out today just to catch a glimpse of 
USS NEW YORK through the fog as if the  dust had settled over 
ground zero and we emerged from it. They waved their  flags, put 
their hands over their hearts and cheered, for this ship, O God,  
represents to many not only a commemoration of what was lost on 
9/11 but a  celebration that out of death can come new life, out of 
sorrow, great joy, out  of fear, the strength of a nation. Our ship is 
the evidence that those who seek  to destroy will never overcome 
those who work together for good. As today we  celebrate the 234th 
birthday of the United States Navy, we recommit  ourselves to being 
a global force for good and to serving USS NEW YORK as she  moves 
into the future.


We  give thanks for all that has led us to this day and now we pray for 
a good rest  tonight so that we may rise to greet tomorrow refreshed 
and ready. Bless all  those we love, both near and far. In you most 
holy name we pray. Amen

Good night, NEW YORK…

Prayer from November 1, 2009

Almighty God, it has been a long day. We  have had so much to do: 
we’ve received visitors by helo and LCAC, answered lots  of questions 
and still managed to keep up with all the work it takes to sustain  
both ship and crew. We are already weary, and we know the night will 
be short,  yet we await with heightened anticipation the events that 
will unfold tomorrow.

Not often, Lord, do we get to be part of  something great. Not often 
do we know that what we do matters, or that our  actions can bring 
healing. So help us to pay attention tomorrow morning. Help  us to 
see and to remember, help us to never forget, so we can tell our 
children  and our children’s children about the day we sailed 
USS NEW YORK, a symbol of  the strength and resolve of the nation, 
home in triumph.

May all who see her enter the harbor and  pause in tribute at Ground 
Zero, be moved, not only in remembrance of all who  were lost on 
September 11th, but by the hope and resiliency of the  American 
people made tangible in the transformed steel of her bow stem.

Not often, Lord, do we get to be part of  something great. Thank 
you for letting us be here. As tonight we sit off shore  like a beacon 
of hope waiting for the dawn, we pray that your blessing be upon  
us all, and especially upon those who stand watch for us through 
the night.  Bless those we love, both near and far. In your most holy 
name we pray. Amen.
               
Good night, NEW YORK…

To take a photo tour of the USS New York, please visit: 
www.flickr.com/photos/ussnewyork/

USS NY Goes to Home Base: 
http://ny1.com/5-manhattan-news-content/top_stories/108826/uss-new-york-
departs-for-home-base

Click here to view ABC News coverage of the USS New York as it 
arrives in NYC: http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/video?id=7095207 and 

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/video?id=7095969.

Click here to watch the USS New York Commissioning Update Video

A High Note for Bugle: Family returns instrument to USS New York
By Karen Nelson

A Coast family made sure a bugle was placed aboard the soon-to-be 
USS New York before she sailed from a shipyard in Louisiana this week.
Even though Navy ships don’t use buglers anymore, this one was a piece 
of history. It had been blown to rally crews aboard the battleship 
USS New York during World Wars I and II and wound up in the care of 
a mariner from Mississippi, H.R. “Shorty” Reynolds, who died in 2003.  More>

Marines Also Part of the USS New York Crew:
By:WTKR-TV3, November 6, 2009

Look a little closer at the crew of the USS New York, and you’ll see not 
everyone is a sailor.  In fact, sprinkled among the Navy’s blue fatigues are 
some green ones: those are the marines. More>

Navy Commissions USS New York in Big Apple:
November 7, 2009

From USS New York (LPD 21) Public Affairs  NEW YORK (NNS) -- USS New 
York (LPD 21), the fifth San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, built 
with steel salvaged from the World Trade Center, was commissioned here 
Nov. 7 in a ceremony held in the shadow of the city for which it is named. 
More>

A Fitting Tribute to the Newest Navy Warship:
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Dan Meaney, 
Pre-Commissioning Unit New York (LPD 21) Public Affairs NEW YORK (NNS)

Symbolically crafted from the wreckage of the worst terrorist attack in U.S. 
history, a sculpture honoring fallen New York City firefighters was presented 
to the newest ship in the Navy, the future USS New York (LPD 21), just 
days before the ship was commissioned.  More>

November 6, 2009

The Commanding Officer and Sponsor of PRE-COMMISSIONING UNIT NEW YORK 
formally accepted the ship's ceremonial silver during the Sponsor's breakfast at 
Tiffany in New York City.

Tiffany has provided silver for Navy ships for more than 100 years, including 
previous vessels that bore the New York name. The ship's Sponsor Dotty 
England expressed her thanks to both Tiffany and the ship's crew. "They 
have enriched my life and they have already earned the awe and respect 
of Americans everywhere. I look forward to a long and close relationship 
with this ship and with the Sailors and Marines who man her."

Petty Officer Dale Patrick Frost

USS New York comes to life; ship born of 7.5 tons of World Trade 
Center steel
By Stephanie Gaskell  Daily News staff writer 
Originally  Published:Saturday, November 7th 2009

The New York came to  life Saturday, becoming the Navy's newest warship - 
and a proud symbol of  fortitude. The $1 billion amphibious transport dock 
carries 7.5 tons of  steel from the World Trade Center in her bow stem.                  
"The New York  will be a visible testament to our resilience," said 
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus as the first watch  was set and hundreds of 
sailors and Marines ran  onto the decks of the ship, a tradition signaling 
the official commissioning of  the vessel. More>

Ceremony marks commission of USS New York
By Bill Bleyer, November 7,  2009                               

The USS  New York, built with steel from the rubble of the World Trade   
Center, was put into  service Saturday.  More>

It's official! USS New York commissioned
Associated Press, Posted: 2:29 PM, November 7, 2009

The USS New York, built with steel  from the rubble of the World Trade Center,  
was put into service today both as a symbol of healing and strength.
"No matter how many times  you attack us, we always come back," Secretary 
of the Navy Ray Mabus said at the amphibious  assault ship's commissioning. 
"America always comes back. That's  what this ship represents."
More>

Michael C. Fina Selected for Custom China Service for USS NEW YORK
Tuesday,  November 3, 2009, PRNewswire

Michael C. Fina has been selected to create the china service for the new 
U.S. Navy ship, USS NEW YORK.  The ship, built with 7.5 tons of steel from 
the fallen World Trade Center in its bow, is to be commissioned in New York 
City on November 7, 2009.  More>

Honored Port Pilot Harbors 9/11 Grief
NY Post, November 2, 2009             

At 5:30 this morning, the Navy was to toss harbor pilot Neil Keating the 
keys to its newest warship. More>

Troy resident serving on USS New York
Published: Monday, November 2, 2009
By Tom Caprood, The  Record

TROY — A city resident is among a select few in the Navy with the 
privilege of serving aboard a ship made in part from pieces of the  
fallen World Trade Center. Thomas F. Casey, 19, is a crew member 
aboard the USS New York, a vessel which  has been under construction 
in Louisiana  since 2004 and was first christened in March of 2008. 
More>

Tons of WTC steel and pinstriped heart: USS New York crew hoping 
(Yankees champion)ship comes in
By Stephanie Gaskell Daily News 
Saturday, October 31, 2009         

ABOARD THE USS NEW YORK - They're from New York, sailing on the 
New York and watching the Yankees play in the World Series.
"It doesn't get better than that," said Navy  Hospital Corpsman 2nd 
Class Nathaniel Mitchell of Queens.  More>

U.S.S.  New York Crew Recalls Its Own 9/11 Ties
By A. G.  Sulzberger, The New York Times
Published:  November 1, 2009

ABOARD  U.S.S. NEW YORK, off New York — Most were middle school 
students, but some were  construction workers, police officers or members 
of the military when two  planes slammed into the World Trade Center eight 
years ago. As they  have traveled toward New York  together, the crew 
of this ship has traded stories of that day, with personal  details fleshing 
out the standard narrative of disbelief, sorrow and outrage.  More>

USS New York comes 'home' to harbor
November 2, 2009 By Bill Bleyer  bill.bleyer@newsday.com 

   
ABOARD  THE USS NEW YORK - The USS New York, built with steel  
salvaged from the fallen Twin Towers, entered New York Harbor  Monday 
and paused for a moment in the waters off Ground Zero to honor those  
lost in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.  Article Continued>

Brooklyn sailor proud to serve on  ship USS New York to 
'change the world'
By Stephanie Gaskell Daily News

ABOARD THE NEW YORK - Thomas Grawl got the chills when he boarded  
the New York for the first time.The Brooklyn sailor's  assignment on the 
ship made with 7.5 tons of steel from the World Trade Center is very 
personal. His cousin, Cantor FitzgeraldVice President Robert Scandole, 
was killed in the north tower. 


"That's why it was so important for me to serve on  this ship," said 
Grawl, 36, an electronics technician first class. "Every  time I walk on 
board, I get chills. I pray that he's proud of me. I pray that  he sees this." 

Dozens of New Yorkers were among the 360 crew members  serving on the 
ship that sailed from New Orleans to New York harbor on its maiden voyage 
to  Ground Zero.  Article Continued>

Future USS New York Sets Sail for the Big Apple


By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Rachael L. Leslie,  
    Pre-Commissioning Unit New York  Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Future USS New York (LPD 21) left Naval Station  
Norfolk, Va., Oct. 29 to begin her four-day transit to New York City where 
the  ship's commissioning ceremony is scheduled to take place on Nov. 7.
Part of the ship's mission is to return the 7.5 tons of steel recovered 
from  the wreckage of the World Trade Center's  Twin Towers to its home.
Article Continued>

NAVY ANNOUNCES WELCOME SALUTE AND PUBLIC VISITATION FOR 
FUTURE USS NEW YORK (LPD 21)  DURING COMMISSIONING WEEK 
EVENTS IN NEW YORK CITY NEW YORK 

At approximately 8:00 a.m., on November 2, the future USS NEW YORK will 
come to a standstill across from the World Trade Center site, dip her flag, 
and deliver a 21-gun salute.  Members of the Fire Department of New York, 
the New York Police Department, Port Authority Police, members of the 
families of 9/11 victims and veterans will gather on the shore at the North 
Cove in the World Financial Center to return the salute.  Members of the 
general public are encouraged to attend.

The future USS NEW YORK (LPD 21), built with 7.5 tons of steel from the 
World Trade Center in her bow, will be commissioned in New York City on 
November 7, 2009.  The ship will actually arrive on November 2, when the 
public can welcome her as she renders honors at the World Trade Center 
site, and by visiting the ship before she leaves on November 12, 2009.


At approximately 8:00 a.m., on November 2, the future USS NEW YORK will 
come to a standstill across from the World Trade Center site, dip her flag, 
and deliver a 21-gun salute.  Members of the Fire Department of New York, 
the New York Police Department, Port Authority Police, members of the 
families of 9/11 victims and veteran’s will gather on the shore at the North 
Cove in the World Financial Center to return the salute.  Members of the 
general public are encouraged to attend.
               
There will also be several opportunities for the general public to tour the 
ship when she is docked at Pier 88 at 12th Avenue and West 48 Street.  
The schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, November 4 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 5 – 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 8 – 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Monday, November 9 – 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 10 – 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 11 – 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Members of the general 
public wishing to tour the ship should:
 -- arrive early as lines my be long, especially on the Sunday, Nov. 8.
-- enter at West 46th Street and 12th Avenue (by the Intrepid). 
-- bring a photo ID (adults). 
-- wear comfortable shoes.

No large packages or backpacks will be permitted. 
“It is an honor to be associated with the ship.  We are all looking forward to 
sailing her to New York City for Commissioning,” Commanding Officer F. Curt 
Jones said.  “I have members of my crew that joined the Navy as a direct 
result of 9/11. I have crew members that have lost family members on 9/11. 
I have met numerous people as a result of being associated with the ship 
that lost family, friends…so we know that the steel that is part of the ship 
represents in some fashion those people. It represents loss but for us it also 
represents hope and we keep both of those things close to us,” he added.


Please note dates and times subject to change.  More up-to-date information 
on public tours will be found at www.ussny.org closer to the ship’s arrival.

A sailor aboard the ship  that will become the USS New York when she is 
commissioned on November 7, 2009   is blogging about life on the ship. 
Visit Petty Officer OS2 Cecelia's blog at www.nypost.com/blogs/ussnewyork.

USS New York Makes Maiden Voyage from New Orleans to 
New York City
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 





NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana —  The USS New York is heading from New 
Orleans to its  namesake city on its maiden voyage Tuesday morning. 
The warship is an  amphibious transport dock ship that was built in 
Louisiana and named in honor of the victims of the attacks of 
Sept. 11, 2001.  Article Continued>

Be a Part of  the USS NEW YORK Commissioning
November 7,  2009 – EVENTS ALL THAT WEEK
New York, NY

The September 11th Families’ Association is delighted and honoured to  
welcome the USS NEW YORK to New York City in November. We are 
privileged to  know some of her crew, and are very involved with the ship.

Seven  and a half tons of World   Trade Center  steel make up USS NEW 
YORK’s bow. Your  loved one or your September 11th experience can be 
forever a part of  the ship. Every US Navy ship has artifacts and special 
items about its name  onboard for as long as she sails. The USS NEW YORK 
will carry a book of  September 11th memories written by families of the 
lost, survivors,  rescue and recovery workers and local residents and 
colleagues of the lost.  Every crewmember will read it.

We want to collect as many stories as we can in order to give the crew 
the most beautiful gift possible. Please help us by writing a letter to the 
crew or  writing your September 11th story for them to read and cherish. 
To put your letter or story in the book, e-mail Kimberly at 
kgrieger@911families.org or send it to:

Kimberly Grieger 
September 11th Families’ Association
22 Cortlandt Street,  Suite 901 
New York, NY  10007

Please send your story as soon as possible – deadline for the book is 
25 October, 2009.

USS New York Commissioning Lottery Information
This November, the newest U.S. Navy ship, the USS New York (LPD  21), 
will come to New York   Harbor for a week of  events celebrating her 
commissioning ceremony on the morning of November 7,  2009.  This ship 
proudly carries seven and a half tons of original World Trade Center steel 
in her bow.  There are multiple opportunities for 9/11 victims' families, 
survivors, and  first responders to visit the ship throughout the 
commissioning week.
               
The Commissioning Committee has reserved a number of seats on 
November 7th,  for the 9/11 community at Pier 88, where you'll be able to 
view the  commissioning ceremony on JumboTron screens.  Pier 88-located 
at 48th Street and  12th Avenue in Manhattan-is  a covered, heated space, 
while the ceremony itself takes place outdoors nearby.  Pier 88 is also 
where the USS New York will be docked and upon conclusion of the 
ceremony, you'll have the opportunity to tour the ship.  
Tickets to view the commissioning ceremony at Pier 88 will be 
distributed by random  lottery.  The Commissioning Committee has asked 
the National September  11 Memorial & Museum to assist in this process 
by gathering information  from lottery registrants. 
               
If you are interested in requesting tickets please register by 
visiting www.national911memorial.org/ussnewyork.  Registration  
is open until 5pm October 14, 2009. 
               
If you are selected through the random lottery, you will be notified by 
e-mail on or about October 23rd and you will receive tickets by mail by 
November  1st.  Tickets will be mailed to the address you provide when  
registering.  Ticket requests can only be made through this website 
and  cannot be accepted after the lottery registration has closed.  
Tickets are  non-transferable.
               
If you do not receive tickets through the lottery, or if you would like 
to  tour the ship at another time, you may visit during any one of the 
following  days. Visitation on these days is on a first-come, first-serve 
basis.  
               
Specific hours of availability will be posted on the official USS New York  
website, http://www.ussny.org/, in mid-October.  Please visit  this site 
before planning your visit to the ship.
               
Tuesday, November 3 -- Certain hours are reserved exclusively for  
members of the 9/11 community.  If you would like to visit during  
these hours, print this e-mail and present it for admission.  Please  
note that there is limited tour capacity on this day as the ship crew will 
be preparing for the commissioning ceremony. 
               
Wednesday, November 4 -- Open to the public. 
               
Thursday, November 5 -- Open to the public. 
               
Sunday, November 8 -- Certain hours are reserved exclusively for  
members of the 9/11 community.  If you would like to visit during 
these  hours, print this e-mail and present it for admission. 
               
Monday, November 9  -- Open to the public. 
               
Tuesday, November 10  -- Open to the public. 
               
Wednesday, November 11  -- Open to the public. 
               
Tours and  tickets to the commissioning ceremony observation are free of 
charge.  We  hope you can join us in celebrating the commissioning of the 
USS New  York.  To learn more about the ship, her mission, and history, 
please  visit the official USS New York website at http://www.ussny.org/.  
               
The USS New York Commissioning Committee

USS New York Commissioning & Exhibition

On November 7, 2009, USS NEW YORK (LPD 21) will officially enter into the 
U.S. Navy at a commissioning ceremony in New York City. USS NEW YORK 
is a new class of state-of-the-art amphibious ship with a crew of 360, and 
is designed to carry 700-plus U.S. Marines and their equipment, including 
vehicles and aircraft. She is also the first ship designed to carry the Osprey 
tilt rotor aircraft. The ship has seven-and-a-half tons of World Trade Center 
steel forged in her bow.


In October, the Tribute Center will open an exhibition on USS NEW YORK. 
The exhibit reveals the unique qualities and attributes associated with the 
steel, a metal central to the formation of New York skyscrapers, and 
transformed in this ship into a symbol of the strength and humanityof our 
nation. “Sailing into the Future: USS NEW YORK” includes the voices of 
Naval personnel, steel workers, ship builders and museum curators, who 
have all played dynamic roles in the building and operating of USS NEW 
YORK. The ship’s motto is “Strength Forged through Sacrifice. Never 
Forget.”


In a recent interview with the Tribute Center, USS NEW YORK Commander 
Curt Jones discussed the meaning the steel will have to the crew. “Where 
the steel is located is an important message – it is right at the bow stem 
so the steel is literally leading us through the water. My crews are always 
aware of that. The first time I got to see the ship was the spring of 2007 
and it was still up on land. I put my hand on the hull and every hair on my 
body stood on end. That spirit is palpable. Every day we are honoring the 
victims and heroes of that day.” If you are unable to see the ship while 
she is in New York, the Tribute Center exhibition will be open from 
October 2009 to March 2010.


The September 11th Families’ Association is in the process of adopting 
USS NEW YORK in order to support the sailors beyond the commissioning. 
On November 5, 2009 the Association will host the crew and their families 
on a tour of the Tribute Center followed by a reception. The event will 
serve to educate the crew on the events of September 11, 2001.

If you would like to be a part of the September 11th Families’ Association 
committee to support the USS NEW YORK, please email 
kgrieger@911families.org.

Be part of the USS NEW YORK history
If you would like to be part of the history of  USS NEW YORK have your 
name, organization, company, or the name of someone you wish to honor, 
engraved on silver items that will become part of the ship’s silver service.  
Per Navy tradition, a ship’s silver service is used when hosting guests for 
ceremonial occasions. The silver service will stay with the ship throughout 
the ship’s life, and by tradition, is passed to the next ship named for 
New York. 

A silver registry listing items that are needed for the ship’s silver service 
has been established at Tiffany & Co. The jeweler and silversmith have 
created custom serving pieces for U.S. Navy ships for more than a century.  
The registry, which includes a full line of engravable pieces, can be 
accessed through USS NEW YORK Commissioning Committee’s official 
website: www.ussny.org. 

The USS NEW YORK Commissioning Committee funds and organizes the 
events during Commissioning Week and establishes an educational and 
special needs fund for the ship.

Visit  USS NEW YORK  
www.ussny.org

- Learn the missions and capabilities
- Meet the officers and crew
- Sponsor the Commissioning
- Visit the registry for needed ship's silver service items
- Contribute to an Educational Fund for crew members
- Shop at the ship's store for official merchandise

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

911 Families © 2009