USS New York: Commissioned by the Navy
In a ceremony at Pier 88 in Manhatten the USS New York was commissioned to active duty on Saturday.
The ship’s bow, forged with 7.5 tons of steel salvaged from the wreckage of the World Trade Center, “embodies the strength and determination of the people of the United States: to recover, to rally, to take the fight to the enemy.”
Construction of the vessel with World Trade Center steel was encouraged by Governor George Pataki of New York State and Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City to honor the more than 3,000 people that were murdered in the infamous terrorist attack of September 11, 2001.
On 7 September 2002 in a ceremony aboard USS Intrepid in New York City, then Secretary of the Navy Gordon England announced the decision to name the fifth amphibious transport dock ship of the San Antonio class, New York (LPD 21). Secretary England said,
“This new class of ships will project American power to the far corners of the Earth and support the cause of freedom well into the 21st century. From the war for independence through the war on terrorism, which we wage today, the courage and heroism of the people of New York has been an inspiration. USS New York will play an important role in our Navy’s future and will be a fitting tribute to the people of the Empire State.”
Governor George Pataki, Governor of New York, responded by stating,
“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,” said Governor Pataki. “I want to thank Secretary England for taking this extraordinary step and agreeing to pay special tribute to all New Yorkers by giving our name to a ship that will play an important role in the war on terror.”
The 684-foot vessel whose motto, ‘Strength forged through sacrifice. Never forget.’ honors the memory of the victims and survivors of the attacks on September, 11. She will be home to 360 sailors and three Marines and will be commanded by CDR Curt Jones.
•Seven rays of sunlight signify the crown atop the Statue of Liberty and the seven seas.
•Central focus placed on the Twin Towers and the bow of the ship, forged from Twin Towers steel.
•Breastplate of the phoenix bears the colors of first responders from the New York Police Department, New York Fire Department, and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
•Blood drops represent the fallen.
•Three stars for those earned by the battleship USS NEW YORK (BB34) in World War II at Iwo Jima, Okinawa and North Africa.
