9/11 Families - USS New York News

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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.

Photo credit by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Video


http://www.newsday.com/news/uss-new-york-comes-home-1.1562693




USS New York in NYC

The  command rang out at Pier 86 on Manhattan's West Side: "Bring the 
ship to life!" 

Moments  after noon Saturday, as crew members in dress blues stood at 
attention along  the rails, radar antennas on America's  newest warship 
began to revolve, black smoke poured from three stacks, sirens  blared 
and the whistle blew.

With  that, the USS New York - docked across the water at Pier 88, just 
north of the Intrepid Sea,  Air & Space Museum - was commissioned into 
the  active U.S. Navy fleet.

The  ceremony evoked emotion, pride and patriotism, and was filled with 
references  to Sept. 11, 2001, a natural connection given that the 
amphibious assault  vessel's bow incorporates 7.5 tons of the steel from 
the World Trade Center  towers.

It also  was a ceremony full of dignitaries, from Mayor Michael Bloomberg to  
former Mayor Rudy Giuliani to Gov. David A.  Paterson to the keynote 
speaker, Secretary of State Hillary  Rodham Clinton.

"This  ship carries memories of Sept. 11 and the lives cut short," Clinton 
said of the  vessel.

The  ship's chaplain, Lt. Cmdr. Laura Bender of Lake Ronkonkoma, one of 
about 10 Long Islanders in the crew of 359, asked for a moment of silence 
"for those whose lives  were changed" by Sept. 11. She said the ship "is 
not only the Navy's  newest ship, she is a symbol of the strength and 
resolve of our nation."

Referring  to the nearly 3,000 people killed on Sept. 11, Paterson said 
"their spirit is embodied  in this new ship." With Twin Towers steel in the 
bow, Paterson  said, "it is not just named for New    York. It is New    
York." As the ship travels the world, he said,  "we're sending a message 
that Americans are not cowered by evil."

The  private ceremony was attended by 3,000 people, about one-third 
of them  relatives of those who died on Sept. 11. Among those in 
attendance were seven  members of the Northport Division of the U.S. 
Naval Sea Cadets, a federally chartered organization for  young people 
who train with the Navy and Coast Guard.

 "The  USS New York represents America's  global strength and presence," 
said Cadet Michael Kiesel, 14, of  Northport.

After  Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus declared the ship to be 
commissioned at 12:03 p.m., Capt. Curt Jones, a Binghamton native, told  
his executive officer, Cmdr. Erich Schmidt, to "hoist the colors." A  large 
American flag was run up behind the ship's foremast. Then the vessel  
"came to life" and Navy and Marine aircraft flew over in salute.

 "Captain,  USS New York is manned and ready," Schmidt announced.

 Concluding  the 85-minute ceremony, Jones said of the steel in the bow 
from the World Trade   Center: "It cuts the  water for us. It reminds us 
every day of what we do and why we do it."

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

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