The Ship New York -- Protecting America on Land and Sea

By GABE PRESSMAN

Updated 9:00 AM EST, Sat, Oct 31, 2009

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The warship USS New York, named to honor the thousands who died in the World Trade Center eight years ago, is being welcomed by the people of New York.

It evokes memories of other vessels named “New York” going back to the Revolutionary War. Amid Monday's salute of big guns, fireboats spraying water into the harbor, the blaring of horns, cheers of spectators on both sides of the Hudson River and the warm welcome to captain and crew from hundreds of families who lost loved ones on 9/11, there are searing reminders of a great tragedy that we can never forget.

The new warship New York will be officially commissioned on Saturday, Nov. 7. It is an amphibious transport dock, built to withstand the rigors of warfare, to repair ships, to carry fighting men and women to places where they are needed.

On the New York, symbolism is everywhere. The 38-ton vessel carries a crew of 360, some from New York. Many asked for duty aboard this ship. The bow of the $1 billion New York is made from 7.5 tons of steel recovered from the rubble at Ground Zero. The captain, Commander Curtis Jones, is from Binghamton.

In Navy lingo, the new ship New York is called LPD 21. The ship seal has a phoenix, a mythological bird, rising out of flames, representing the determination of the nation to triumph over terrorism. There are crossed swords, representing the Navy and the Marine Corps, and other symbols paying tribute to the response teams from the fire and police departments. There are three battle stars for actions in which this ship’s predecessor, the battleship New York, was involved in World War II, including the Battle of Iwo Jima.
Lt. Cdr. Colette Murphy, a Navy spokeswoman, told me, "The crew is very excited about serving aboard this ship. Many wanted to be stationed on the New York."

One sailor, Operations Specialist 2nd Class Cecilia Fosu of Newark, N.J., told the New York Post, "Never in a million years did I think that I would be serving on a U.S. Navy vessel that was built in remembrance of the event that took place on 9/11."

Symbolism, Patriotism. History. All figure in the pride these men and women feel. The first USS New York was a sloop in the Revolutionary War. Later, Navy sources say, Benedict Arnold, the brilliant aide to Washington who later became a traitor to the American cause, actually commissioned a gondola in the Battle of Valcour Island on Lake Champlain in 1776. A frigate New York was burned by the British in the War of 1812. There have been six New York vessels in all, including a cruiser that served in the Spanish-American War, and World Wars I and II. The battleship New York, known as BB 34., took part in both World Wars. Like New York City itself, in the Navy, the name "New York" has weathered many storms and battles.

Gov. George Pataki asked the government to commission a ship in honor of the victims of 9/11. "We’re very proud," he said, "that the twisted steel from the World Trade Center Towers will soon be used to forge an even stronger national defense."

The Navy hymn, a beautiful tribute to those who die at sea, implores the "eternal Father" to “hear us when we cry to Thee for those in peril on the sea!"

I remember how moved I was by that hymn many years ago. Now, a ship built in memory of those who died at Ground Zero, will be part of an effort to protect Americans on land and sea.