The USS New York, LPD-21, docks in Lower Manhattan Nov. 1st prior to its formal commissioning on the 7th.
The US Navy's newest warship designed for counterterror and amphibious operations bears 7.5 tons of steel from the Twin Towers in its bow.It is the fifth in a new class of warship - 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'
Now if only we could put some of that steel in our President's spine.
The U.S.S. New York
5 comments:
A more appropo use for that hallowed steel would be hard to find. The motto of this great ship, 'Never Forget', should remain in every American's heart. Hopefully, somewhere on the weapons system are the words, "Let's roll!".
Junior and the rest of the foundry workers were indeed privileged to be a part of the crafting of this special vessel. Ah, to be a part of that....
Deborah Leigh
I dearly wish to see footage from the Ship's Company and embarked Marines killing them sand******* over there.
This Old Retired First Class Petty Officer calls them as he sees them.
I hope the commissioning is on live TV. Were I a history teacher, it would be on during classtime.
To Junior and his guys, Hand Salute!
Glenn Cassel
AMH1(AW)
US Navy
Retired(1973-1993)
NEVER forget.
'They knocked us down. They can't keep us down. We're going to be back.'
Betcherass. Thanks, Richard. Thanks, Deborah. Thanks, Junior and Crew.
Karla Cassel Duffy (aka Glenn's little sister)
Navy Wife
Retired (yeah, right) 1985-2007
God Bless the USS New York and all that sail her!
In Australia, we will remember them.
Lest we forget!
It has been far too long since I read something that made me proud to be an American. I am a very very patriotic fool but the news lately has been so crappy (even the MSM) that this lifts me up.
I wonder why this isn't a big deal in the media? Are they trying to keep spirits down so people will mindlessly accept whatever the government doles out?
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