Story Number: NNS090911-20
Release Date: 9/11/2009 4:41:00 PM

By Mass Communciation Specialist 1st Class Corey Lewis, Pre-Commissioning Unit New York

AVONDALE, La. (NNS) — The crew of Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) New York (LPD 21) honored those who lost their lives Sept. 11, during a ceremony that included a timeline from the events of 9/11 narrated by members of the crew.

“Strength forged through sacrifice. Never Forget” is the motto of PCU New York.

Quotes from survivors, first responders and voicemail messages of victims who were able to say final goodbyes were interspersed throughout the timeline to bring the story to life.

“The events of 9/11 happened to real people on a typical workday,” said Lt. Cmdr. Laura Bender, command chaplain. “Hearing their words connects us with them in a unique and powerful way. What would we have said if we had to make that last call home?”

James Bennett, crew member of USS New York (BB-34) from 1935-1940 visited the crew and took part in the ceremony. Bennett will be 94 years old the day of the ship’s commissioning Nov. 7. He toured some of the ship with his family afterward.

“It’s a wonderful ship,” Bennett said. “I feel a strong connection to the crew. Being a member of BB-34 and watching this ship progress has been a wonderful thing, and I am waiting for this ship and crew to begin their mission.”

Ceremony participant Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Winette Cox said, “I was honored to participate in the ceremony. It was an emotional yet touching event. I think the ceremony drove home why we are working so hard to get the ship ready to do her job.”

For more news from Pre-Commissioning Unit New York (LPD 21), visit www.navy.mil/local/lpd21.

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By Jon Lane
Derek Jeter’s pursuit of Lou Gehrig is great, but far more important is that Friday is the eighth anniversary of 9/11. The Yankees announced that they will hold a special ceremony before the game to honor the USS New York and the ship’s crew.

Here’s the 411:

The New York Yankees today announced they will hold a special pregame ceremony on Friday, September 11, prior to the Yankees’ 7:05 p.m. game vs. the Orioles.

USS NY at Yankee Stadium

During the home plate ceremony, the Yankees will give special recognition to the USS New York and the ship’s crew as well as the commissioning committee during a home plate ceremony. The state-of-the-art stealth ship, whose bow stem includes seven-and-a-half tons of steel recovered from the fallen World Trade Center, is scheduled to be commissioned into the U.S. Navy’s fleet on November 7.  

The presentation of colors will be made by the USS New York Naval Color Guard, the FDNY Color Guard, the NYPD Color Guard and the Port Authority Color Guard. Naval musician Laura Carey will sing the national anthem.

Representing Washington, D.C. – an area also affected by the 9/11 tragedy – will be Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, who will throw out the game’s ceremonial first pitch.

Scheduled to arrive into the New York Harbor on November 2, the USS New York will proceed up the Hudson River, where she will pause and dip her ensign (the American Flag) as she passes the World Trade Center site, then proceed up to the George Washington Bridge, turn and dock at her Manhattan pier. On November 7, she will enter naval service. 

Source: http://yes.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/09/yankees_to_commemorate_911_ann.html

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Navy Accepts Delivery of Future USS New York
Story Number: NNS090821-07
Release Date: 8/21/2009 1:00:00 PM

From Naval Sea Systems Command

WASHINGTON (NNS) — The Navy officially accepted delivery of the future USS New York (LPD 21) from Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding (NGSB) during a ceremony Aug. 21 at the company’s Avondale shipyard in New Orleans.

http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/weeklynews/july09/ussny.html

New York is the first of three LPD 17-class ships built in honor of the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The ship’s bow stem was constructed using 7.5 tons of steel salvaged from the World Trade Center. The Navy named the eighth and ninth ships of the class – Arlington and Somerset – in honor of the victims of the attacks on the Pentagon and United Flight 93 respectively. Arlington and Somerset are also incorporating materials salvaged from those sites.

New York completed acceptance trials July 24, performing well for the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV). During the detailed inspection, all shipboard systems and equipment, including combat, ship, machinery control and mission systems, were successfully demonstrated during a series of demanding inport and at-sea test events. This trial confirmed the continuing improved class trend in system design specifications and quality assurance programs.

“This ship will be a symbol,” said Capt. Bill Galinis, the LPD 17-class program manager for the Navy’s Program Executive Office for Ships. “The Navy and the shipbuilder have worked hand-in-hand to deliver this highly capable warship to the Navy and our nation. It has been a tremendous privilege for all of us who have had an opportunity to participate in the construction of this ship.”

The principal mission of LPD 17-class amphibious transport dock ships is to transport and deploy the necessary combat and support elements of Marine expeditionary units and brigades. The ship will carry approximately 720 troops and have the capability of transporting and debarking air cushion (LCAC) or conventional landing craft and expeditionary fighting vehicles (EFV), augmented by helicopters or vertical take off and landing aircraft (MV 22). These ships will support amphibious assault, special operations and expeditionary warfare missions through the first half of the 21st century.

New York is the fifth ship of the LPD 17-class and the fifth ship in the Navy to be named after the Empire State. Arrival in New York is scheduled for November. Early events will be focused on ship’s crew, their families, first responders and 9/11 families. Public viewing is scheduled in the days prior to and days following the commissioning, slated for Nov. 7.

For more news from Naval Sea Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navsea/.

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