The USS New York - A Fitting Tribute

The USS New York was built with 24 tons of twisted scrap steel from the remains of the World Trade Center.

It is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.

The twisted steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite, LA to cast the ship's bow section. When it was poured into the molds on Sept. 9, 2003, 'those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence,' recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. 'It was a spiritual moment for everybody there.'

Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the 'hair on my neck stood up.' 'It had a big meaning to it for all of us,' he said. 'They knocked us down. They can't keep us down. We're going to be back.'

The ship's motto?
'Never Forget'

The christening of the USS New York will take place on Saturday, March 1st, 2008 at 10:00am. You can watch the live webcast of the ship's christening from its Louisiana port where its berthed (and where it survived Katrina) from the the Northrop-Grumman's website.

Pleases visit The History Channel, to view a 6 min. video history of the origin and building of this incredible ship.

Its a comfort to know that my friends ashes serve a higher purpose at last. This is one ship I will definitely be visiting when it comes to NYC for Fleet week.