Photo and story by MC3 Shannon Burns
On the morning of Sept. 11, 2011, then-Senior Chief Electronics Technician Rafael
Perez was in his hotel room with his family before being abruptly awoken by
his command sponsor. In the middle of a duty station change, Perez’s sponsor
went on to inform him that two commercial airplanes had crashed into the World
Trade Center Towers. Little did Perez know the events that had transpired would
forever shift the path of his life. A native of Bronx, N.Y., Perez joined the Navy in
1987, five years after graduating high school. His motivation came in the form of
the Hollywood blockbuster, “Top Gun.”
“When I watched the movie ‘Top Gun’ I said to myself, ‘I want to do
that. I wanted to … be like those cool guys in the movie,’” said Perez.
Following his decision to join the Navy, Perez spent the next 14 years
like any other Sailor: deploying, visiting other countries, advancing in
rank, and building friendships.
“When 9/11 happened I had just transferred from USS Newport News
(SSN 750) to Submarine Group Seven, Yokosuka, Japan,” said Perez. “I
was in the Navy Lodge with my family, and my sponsor woke me up at
about 11:30 p.m. Yokosuka time and told me to turn on the TV. He told me
that our country was under attack. After that, our lives changed forever.”
After receiving the devastating news, Perez’s first reaction was to try
to get in touch with his mother and two siblings who resided in the Bronx.
“I talked to my family immediately as [the attack] was happening,”
said Perez. “I said to myself, ‘Oh my God! There must be at least 25,000
people who work in that building.’ I couldn’t believe that someone would
kill innocent people through terrorism in my hometown! I’d always
hear about wars in other countries, but I never thought that the streets
I would walk on and the places I would visit with my family would be a
target for terrorist activity.”
Because he was stationed in Yokosuka at the time of the attacks, Perez
was not able to immediately see his family.
“I was not able to see my mom and brothers until a year after the attacks,” said Perez. “I knew they were safe, but that day changed my life
because I knew that anything could happen anytime, anywhere. Every
day that I get to see them is a blessing.”
During the aftermath of 9/11, Perez attended an admiral’s call in
which the upper chain of command spoke about the current events.
“9/11 reinforced to me that we were going to be a nation at war and
that leadership of Sailors was going to be essential to success. September
11th inspired me to take that next step and lead Sailors outside of my
rate. I aspired to be a CMC,” said Perez.
The steps that Perez took to accomplish his goal of one day becoming
a command master chief included numerous hours of selfless devotion
to his Sailors and constant support to the war against terrorism. One
of those ways, Perez said, is serving aboard USS New York (LPD 21).
It was an opportunity, symbolic as it were, “I knew I couldn’t pass up.”
On Sept. 9, 2003, construction began on New York, a ship containing
7.5 tons of metal salvaged from the towers. New York was christened on
March 1, 2008, during a ceremony at Avondale Shipyard in New Orleans.
On Nov. 7, 2009, she was commissioned in New York City.
“When I heard that they were going to build New York using metal
from the towers, I wanted to be stationed [at that command],” said Perez.
“I felt so great knowing that there was going to be a ship that would have
such a personal connection to New York and those attacks. The souls
of those who perished are in that ship, and it feels so amazing to be a
CMC on board her.”
The attacks changed not only his path in the Navy, but his view of how
safe he was as well.
“Before 9/11, I probably took security and safety for granted,” Perez
explained. “Since 9/11, I realized we can’t live in fear – that would mean
the terrorists won – but, that we must be vigilant that there are some in this
world who still desire to do our nation harm. It takes all of us to protect
our nation and our communities.”
For Perez the connection to the New York goes beyond her crew.
“I’ve been in the Navy for 24 years and most of it has been served in the
submarine community,” Perez said. “The biggest thrill of my naval career is
serving as CMC on USS New York. I feel as though the 348 crewmembers
assigned are not her only crewmembers. I feel like I have about 15 million
New Yorkers as my crewmembers as well.”
Since 9/11 the Navy has had to adjust to the threat of terrorism and
a new kind of war where the enemy may not be as obvious as it has been
in the past.
“The Navy is so adaptable, [but] 9/11 changed the face of the Navy,”
Perez commented. “We had to realize that we had to change our warfare
tactics, I think the entire DoD (Department of Defense) realized that we
were going to have to change. We had to become lite and fast instead of just
trying to overcome [our adversaries] with our military might. It caused
our leadership to think about how quickly and effectively we could bring
the fight to the enemy.”
Perez said that he feels privileged not only to be in the Navy, but to be
on New York as the CMC as well.
“I’m so blessed to be a part of this organization. I’m so proud that I
get to represent New York, her crewmembers, and the Navy to the world,”
said Perez. “I wish I could invite the whole Navy to come and visit USS
New York because she’s a fantastic ship, and the people who serve aboard
her are fantastic.”
Perez’s focus is on helping his Sailors improve in and out of the Navy.
“I really want to help USS New York become the best it can be,” said
Perez. “Developing my Sailors both personally and professionally is my
primary focus right now. Most of the Sailors that serve on [New York]
chose to serve here, and they have a deep personal connection to what
this ship stands for.”
Perez’s hope for the future of New York is for the ship to reach its full
potential while on deployment.
“I’d really like the ship to excel in all warfare areas,” Perez commented.
“I really want her to make a difference while deployed so that when people
ask how New York fared on deployment I can say that we exceeded all
expectations.”
Perez has been New York CMC for five months. New York’s homeport
is Norfolk, Va.
Burns is assigned to Defense Media Activity
Original story here
http://www.navy.mil/media/allhands/acrobat/ah201109.pdf

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OVER 100 9/11 FAMILIES, SURVIVORS & UNIFORMED SERVICE MEMBERS ABOARD USS NEW YORK ARRIVE AT NY HARBOR TO MARK 10th ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11 ATTACKS

Forged with Steel from the World Trade Center, the USS New York Arrives to

Commemorate the 10th Anniversary of September 11, 2001

New York, NY…September 7, 2011 – On September 8, 2011, the U.S. Navy will mark the remembrance of the 10th Anniversary of September 11, 2001, with the arrival of the USS New York (LPD 21) in New York Harbor. USS New York will render honors as it passes the WTC site at 8:00a.m.

Aboard the ship are over one hundred 9/11 families, survivors, FDNY, NYPD, and Port Authority PD who boarded the ship in Norfolk, VA and are aboard for the cruise to New York City.

Before docking in the New York Harbor, the crew of the USS New York will render honors as they pass the WTC Site around 8:00 AM.

WHAT: September 11th Families Aboard the USS New York to Dock in NY Harbor in Remembrance of the 10th Anniversary of 9/11

WHEN: Thursday September 8 at 7:45 AM

WHERE: North Cove Marina, behind the World Financial Center

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In Mid-July, Schumer Personally Lobbied Navy Secretary Ray Mabus to Send the USS New York to the 10th Anniversary Commemoration; Ship Will Port in New York City in Lead up to Ceremony

The USS New York is Constructed with Seven and a Half Tons of Steel from the World Trade Center; The Ship’s Motto is “Never Forget”

Schumer: The U.S.S. New York’s Presence on the 10th Anniversary of the Attacks Will be a Solemn Tribute to the Memories of Those We Lost

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced today that the United States Navy has agreed to anchor the USS New York off lower Manhattan to join the 10th anniversary ceremonies of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. In a personal letter to Secretary Ray Mabus in July, Schumer urged that the Navy return the USS New York to her namesake for the commemoration, as its presence in New York Harbor would be of incredible significance to those who lost loved ones in the attacks. After weeks of negotiation, Schumer today announced the ship will anchor off Manhattan to provide a backdrop for the day’s services, and will port for several days at a New York pier before the ceremony.

“It just didn’t make sense for this powerful and awesome demonstration of American strength, born out of the rubble of 9/11, not to be present for the 10th anniversary ceremonies,” said Schumer. “Over seven tons of steel from the World Trade Center were used to construct this ship and its return home makes good on its motto, ‘Never Forget’.”

The USS New York is a U.S. Navy amphibious transport ship built using steel from the site of the World Trade Center in New York City. Schumer noted that the attendance of the USS New York’s crew would also play an incredibly important and symbolic role in the September 11th anniversary ceremony, as these brave individuals fight to combat terrorism and defend the United States’ freedom each day.

The USS New York LPD-21 was commissioned on November 7, 2009, and is the fifth amphibious transport dock of the San Antonio class. The ship was named New York after the state and incorporates in its construction steel salvaged from the World Trade Centers. The ship wasbuilt with 7.5 tons of steel from the World Trade Center in her bow. Her ship motto is “Never Forget.” Schumer noted that the steel from the WTC towers, now in the form of the USS New York, is now fittingly being used to combat terrorism and defend the United States’ freedom.

A number of events are planned in the city on September 11, 2011, and calls for the ship’s presence had been echoed by a range of area groups, including 9/11 survivors and the FDNY Uniformed Firefighters Association.

A copy of Senator Schumer’s July letter to Navy Secretary Ray Mabus appears below:

Dear Secretary Mabus:

As New Yorkers and the nation prepare to observe the tenth anniversary of the atrocious acts of September 11, 2001, I urge that the Navy bring the USS New York to her namesake city to participate in the commemoration of that anniversary. This day will have great significance for those who lost loved ones at the Twin Towers, and it would be so fitting for them to be joined by the ship forged with steel from those towers.

New Yorkers are incredibly proud of our Navy, and we deeply recognize the great accomplishments and sacrifices which our service members have made in the last decade. The naming of the USS New York was a fitting recognition of both the loss which occurred in New York on 9/11, and of the city’s great resiliency and resolve in response to that event. My fellow New Yorkers and I would be deeply moved to share the anniversary of 9/11 in the company of the Sailors and Marines who serve aboard that great ship. I also invite and encourage you to participate in the events planned in New York for that day.

All New Yorkers understand as well as anyone that the Navy fleet is fully employed with a critical national security mission. Given that, having the USS New York participate in the 9/11 anniversary ceremony would mean a great deal to them, and especially to the families of those who lost their lives in that tragic event which irrevocably changed our national security stance almost ten years ago. I urge you to consider this request, and to come to New York yourself to take part in the solemn ceremonies marking the anniversary of that event.

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