Monday, May 23, 2011
Last updated: Monday May 23, 2011, 5:50 PM
The Record
STAFF WRITER
The tremendous bow of the USS New York will cut through New York Harbor and into the Hudson on Wednesday, with its crew manning the rails. The ship will pass the Statue of Liberty and the forever changed skyline of downtown Manhattan, then continue to the George Washington Bridge before turning around and heading for the Staten Island berth it will call home during Fleet Week New York.

U.S. NAVY
The USS New York “We’re ready to go,” said Gunner’s Mate Seaman Michael Kolbeck, 29, of East Brunswick. Kolbeck was one of three crew members who grew up in New Jersey and took time while off duty to answer questions about this special ship as Fleet Week approached.

The bow stem of the USS New York was forged with 7 1/2 tons of steel salvaged from the collapsed World Trade Center. The amphibious vessel will be one of seven Navy ships and Coast Guard cutters taking part in the annual Parade of Ships, which kicks off Fleet Week. Starting Thursday, visitors can tour the ships.

If you go
Wednesday

PARADE OF SHIPS

•What: The ships will go up the Hudson River to the George Washington Bridge, then turn and head for their Fleet Week ports.
•When: 8:30 a.m. to noon.
•Best places to watch from North Jersey: Anywhere with a view of the Hudson, including Liberty State Park, Jersey City; Alexander Hamilton Park, Boulevard East pedestrian walkway or Weehawken Waterfront Park, Weehawken; Fort Lee Historic Park, Fort Lee; Maxwell Place Park and Pier A, Hoboken.
INTREPID SEA, AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM

•What: A week of activities on the ship and on its pier, including concerts, a special performance of “Wicked” and special demonstrations. Anything on the pier is free to the public. To watch the Parade of Ships from the Intrepid’s flight deck or attend the Memorial Day Ceremony on the flight deck, a ticket to the museum must be purchased.
•When: Wednesday through May 31.
•Where: Pier 86, Manhattan.
•Info and tickets: intrepidmuseum.org.
Thursday

PUBLIC TOURS

•What: Go onboard the Navy ships and Coast Guard cutters. (USS Iwo Jima closed Sunday.)
•When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., through May 31.
•Where: Pier 88, 48th Street and West Side Highway, Manhattan, and Homeport Pier, 455 Front St., Stapleton, Staten Island.
Friday

TIMES SQUARE CONCERTS

•What: U.S. Marine Corps Band.
•When: 2 to 3 p.m.
•What: Navy Band Northeast Jazz Ensemble.
•When: 5 to 6 p.m.
•Where: Times Square, Manhattan.
Saturday

CONCERT

•What: Navy Band Northeast Pops Ensemble.
•When: 2 to 6 p.m.
•Where: Tappen Park, Staten Island.
Sunday

TIMES SQUARE CONCERTS

•What: U.S. Marine Corps Band.
•When: 2 to 3 p.m.
•What: Navy Band Northeast Popular Music Group.
•When: 5 to 6 p.m.
•Where: Times Square, Manhattan.
“We’re ready to present the ship and answer any questions anyone has, explain different areas of the ship and what our main mission is when we’re out at sea fighting the war,” said Kolbeck.

Seeing these impressive ships up close is always memorable, but a tour of the USS New York, with its Twin Towers steel, is different. The ship’s motto is “Strength forged through sacrifice. Never forget.” The ship’s crest simply says, “Never Forget.” The crew hasn’t.

“My shipmates are like family [and] we all hold the meaning to the ship very near and dear to our hearts,” Operations Specialist 2nd Class Shatara Jewell of West Orange wrote in an e-mail.

The USS New York, whose homeport is Norfolk, Va., was commissioned on Nov. 7, 2009 in New York. As part of that week of events, crew members gave tours to first responders and family and friends of people killed on Sept. 11, 2001.

“I cannot adequately express the humbling feeling of giving tours to the families and friends of 9/11 victims, NYC Firefighters, NYPD officers, and Port Authority officers,” Ensign Mauricio Blondet of Springfield wrote in an e-mail. “Their love and admiration towards this ship is what gives all of us the motivation and strength to work hard at performing the ship’s mission.”

Kolbeck agreed that being on the ship creates a special feeling.

“It’s kind of weird sometimes, but there is a connection there,” said Kolbeck, who watched the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks from the open doors of the East Brunswick garage where he worked as an auto mechanic. He wasn’t moved to enlist immediately, but seven years later, he became the third generation of his family to enter the military.

Blondet, 30, who emigrated from Chile to Newark before moving to Springfield, was already in the Navy when the planes struck the towers, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field. He remembers being put on an immediate security detail as his Norfolk base went into lockdown. In 2009, when it was time for his ship selection, he put in his request for the USS New York to be a part of this special crew.

Jewell, 23f, was a high school sophomore sitting in history class. The terrorist attacks motivated her to join the military.

“The USS New York has a special meaning to me because 9/11 is the reason I joined the Navy,” Jewell wrote. “It showed me the importance of protecting what is important to me like family, friends, and protecting my freedom.”

The ship is preparing for a 2012 deployment, but for Fleet Week the crew’s job is to give tours, act as ambassadors, enjoy themselves and visit with family, friends and residents in the area they proudly carry with them wherever they go.

“It is a great honor to be a part of this crew and to represent New York,” wrote Blondet. “I can’t wait to see and experience that welcome we will receive from the people from the tri-state area. It was an amazing experience in 2009 during the ship’s commissioning. It was something I will never forget. I am sure that Fleet Week 2011 will be just as wonderful.”

E-mail: yoriok@northjersey.com

Tags: Crews News, New York Metro, News