The USS New YorK..Booyah!
AVONDALE, La. – The USS New York, an amphibious assault ship built with scrap steel from the ruins of the World Trade Center, was christened Saturday as a source of strength and inspiration for the nation.
Thousands of people, including friends and families of those who died in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, gathered near the hulking gray ship, trimmed in red, white and blue banners.
The bow stem, which contains 7.5 tons of steel from the site, bore a shield with two gray bars to symbolize the twin towers and a banner over that declaring “Never Forget,” a slogan among New Yorkers.
Ship built with WTC steel christenedPhotos: Courtesy AP and Getty.
“We’re sending a message that we’re standing strong,” he said, adding: “This ship, as it cuts through the water, is going to send a ripple. That ripple will say, ‘We cherish our freedom.’”
Rep. Vito Fossella, R-N.Y., said Sept. 11 was a turning point in the nation, and will never be forgotten because remnants of the disaster are part of the ship.
“If the USS New York has to follow Osama bin Laden to the gates of hell, PCO Jones and his crew … have my full support,” he said to a standing ovation.
Sweet friends.
You know I witnessed firsthand the dismal and exhausting task of carting away the ruins of the World Trade Center, night after night…which took months to complete.
I endured the first order of business, which was the desperate search for anyone who may have miraculously lived through the collapse.
I can recall the acrid fumes from the still-burning pile which filled the air all around us.
I was there in October, as they attempted to cart off the remains of two 110-story buildings despite the still smoldering fires.
Some of the twisted shards of the facade were stored for use in future memorials.
The construction workers, firefighters, and police, I worked with never relinquished hope.
As late as March 12, the bodies of eleven more firefighters were found deep in the basement levels of the south tower.
Literally, every inch was combed through in a search for remains and for clues about the attack.
In the Spring, an honor guard carried a flag-draped stretcher out of the hole. This beam, the last remaining post from the south tower, brought the work of removal to an end.
I was there on Christmas, Chanukah and New Years when the city was finally able to open up a viewing platform to accommodate the thousands and thousands who wanted to see “the site.”
By the time most “visitors” were able to view the site, the “pile”, I stood by night after night was no longer a hole in the ground.
The former 16-acre World Trade Center complex now looked like an ordinary construction site.
But, for me, and thousands of others, there will never be anything “ordinary” about it.
And now……………..
The glorious USS New York.
My State, My City.
Twenty-four tons of steel from the World Trade Center have been recycled for the project. About seven tons were melted down and poured into a cast to make the bow section of the ship’s hull.
The steel has been treated with reverence by the ship builders and several workers have postponed retirements for the honor of working on the USS New York.
USS New York
“Never Forget” indeed.
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March 2nd, 2008 at 1:20 am
God bless you hun. You are an Angel in this dark world.
March 2nd, 2008 at 1:22 am
Angel, I heard about this on the radio. That is a great way to remember. I am glad they commissioned the USS New York!
March 2nd, 2008 at 5:42 am
Yeah good on them, i remember watching something on the tube about it a while ago, it was an honor for them to working on that ship. I hope she has the biggest damn guns the navy can cram onto her. God speed and good hunting USS New York.
March 2nd, 2008 at 9:07 am
“Never Forget” indeed.
It’s a shame but many Americans have already forgotten
But many haven’t…
With God’s speed indeed
March 2nd, 2008 at 10:59 am
I don’t support the war in Iraq-Nam, and I can’t believe the Bush crowd have screwed up Afghanistan and Waziristan. But I live in Queens, and I watched the smoke from the World Trade Center burn from my front doorstep for 12 days back in September 2001. “Never forget” is good. “Never forgive” would be better.
March 2nd, 2008 at 11:33 am
What’s the matter with kids today?…
From a wide array of socially destructive interests affecting youth today, one stands out as the 500-pound gorilla: prisons for kids, AKA public schools.
……
March 2nd, 2008 at 2:19 pm
This is a great thing, but do you think it will become a favored target for the terrorists, with New York and September 11 connection?
March 2nd, 2008 at 3:24 pm
It’s important to have tangible reminders of what happened lest some become complacent. Unfortunately it’s human nature.
Although I didn’t get to see the actual ground zero site, I happened to be living in the U.S. at the time of 9/11 and every American felt the reverberations. We were shocked, silent and very angry, glued to the TV every night to get more news of the event. The 4th July that year was amazing as Americans rallied around the concept of what it means to be American, banding together as a people under the flag.
March 2nd, 2008 at 4:16 pm
No longer will terrorists have to come to New York for a fight. Now, New York can go to them carrying some really big guns, too! Good hunting, USS New York
March 2nd, 2008 at 4:16 pm
I hope she wastes many an Islamist!
March 2nd, 2008 at 5:29 pm
This is really great, Angel. Poetic justice, isn’t it? I think it was a brilliant idea to put the steel from the twin towers to use in this manner.
A toast to the USS New York! May she be safe and do the job she was intended for amazingly well!
I’m only drinking coffee though. I’ll raise a glass of champagne this evening.
March 2nd, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Beautiful! May all terrorist quake in fear.
BTW Have you heard this one?
Three people, one of them a member of the Israeli Defense Forces, were shipwrecked and landed on a remote cannibal-infested island. They were captured before long, and as cauldrons of water were being hoisted on to the fire, the generous natives offered to grant each of their captives one last wish.
The first doomed man requested a pen and paper, and penned a farewell note to his family. The second person asked for a five-course –non-human-meat – final meal. The Israeli then asked that the tribal leader punch him in the face. A strange request, but in their final moments on earth, people don’t always think coherently… As soon as the Chief socked him, the Israeli pulled out an Uzi and mowed down the hapless captors.
“Why did you wait until he punched you before shooting them?” the two relieved friends asked.
“And have the world say that I was the aggressor?!”
March 2nd, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Your post made me cry. I lived on Staten Island for 7 years growing up and loved taking the ferry over to the City. The towers were always a wonderful sight in the background. I’ve stood on top of them and marveled at the wonder that is NYC and felt them sway beneath my feet. I will never forget and won’t let my children forget either though they were not even born yet when the towers fell. I hope this ship will bring the fight to our enemies and not sit idle.
March 2nd, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Love the post, I only wish I would have heard about this when it happened. I am curious why the MSM and newspapers did not make more noise about this? Perhaps that question is rhetorical? Yes it is…why didn’t they make more noise about it – be cause they are to busy trumpeting for Barack H. Obama, who refuses to wear a flag of the United States on his lapel. He would rather show his “patriotism” by wearing the braclet of a fallen solidier given to him by a mother that is against the war. Oh thats right, he also voted against the war and wants to bring the troops home. Yes he is the “patriot” of the party that is trying to slowly bleed our troops dry of funds so they have to come home. He is their (the MSM and newspapers) “patriot” and they want to roll out their red carpets for him and his party of retreat and surrender. That, folks is why they said next to nil about this when all of the U.S.A. should have been celebrating and making noise about this. This is a definite “in your face Mr. Bin Laden (and others like you)”. Something you and I celebrate. In any case kudos to all of you for everyone for such great responses;
“God speed and good hunting USS New York.”
MK
AMEN
“many haven’t…”
DD2
many won’t
“I will never forget and won’t let my children forget either though they were not even born yet when the towers fell. I hope this ship will bring the fight to our enemies and not sit idle.”
Jason
I tell my children about it every year and I show them the pictures.
“will [it] become a favored target for the terrorists,”
“Debbie
I hope so, I really do hope so because of what Uncle Joe has to say
“No longer will terrorists have to come to New York for a fight. Now, New York can go to them…”
Uncle Joe
Let us hope New York is allowed to go to them
“it was a brilliant idea to put the steel from the twin towers to use in this manner.
A toast to the USS New York! May she be safe and do the job she was intended for amazingly well! ”
Gayle
I raise my glass with you and another AMEN (especially to the second part of the statement).
“Beautiful! May all terrorist quake in fear.”
Bar Kochba
Yes.
“Americans rallied around the concept of what it means to be American, banding together as a people under the flag.”
Aurora
I hope we will continue to do so and that we boot people such as Obama and the Pelosi camp out of power.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:52 am
Calling all Angels!…
I have received an email concerning one of our Veteran Army Rangers from the 101st Airborne. He was at ‘Hamburber Hill’ and is suspected of having been subject to agent orange. Two years ago he his kidneys failed, and he went into a comma. When h ……
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:17 am
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March 3rd, 2008 at 3:55 pm
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March 3rd, 2008 at 7:53 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qciWEufZ2xA
Kills me everytime……
turn it up loud and salute…..
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:12 pm
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March 4th, 2008 at 1:00 am
‘WHT, Outstanding post and pictures…You do your homework. I never heard about this ship prior to your doing this report….and an outstanding repor at that….stay well…..
March 4th, 2008 at 3:03 am
Blogger news: Fairness Doctrine, Terrorism, Conservatism…
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March 4th, 2008 at 9:00 am
In the bow of the ship, where the salvaged steel should be… Leading the charge and the last thing evil eyes will see before darkness. God bless her.
March 4th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
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November 8th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
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January 8th, 2011 at 1:41 am
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