The bow of the Navy's latest warship was made from 7.5 tons of steel recovered from the remains of the World Trade Center after the 9/11 attacks. This is where the ship got its name.
The ship was built near New Orleans and sailed to New York for the commissioning ceremony. Read more about the send off here.
As the USS New York sailed into New York, it stopped as it passed by the site of the World Trade Center. In traditional military salute, the ship that was built from the steel of the twin towers honored those lost on 9/11 with a 21-gun salute.
For the commissioning, the Navy's newest ship is docked beside one of the Navy's treasured ship. The USS Intrepid is now the Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum and is permanently docked in New York.
The commissioning ceremony starts at 11 am. There will be cannon fire and military jet fly overs as part of the event to officially place the USS New York into active military duty.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will deliver the principal address speech. Also as part of the ceremonies, a new memorial to 9/11 heroes made from the steel from the World Trade Center will also be unveiled.
The USS New York LP-21 is the latest ship in the Navy's fleet of the San Antonio class. As a landing platform dock vessel, the USS New York will deliver Marines that will join the sailors on the ship into battle zones.
The USS New York departs on its first active military voyage on November 12th. Until then, the ship will be open for public view.
The ship's motto is "Never Forget." With the steel from the World Trade Center in its bow, the USS New York will always remind the world of the country's resolve. The commissioning ceremony will also honor those we lost on that tragic September day.
Written by Denise Clay
Exclusive to HULIQ
Posted November 7th, 2009 by Denise Clay
