Made in America

With the long-anticipated arrival of the USS New York today, Americans everywhere  have a genuine reason to rejoice. Built with 7.5 tons of steel from the World Trade Center in her bow, the vessel will be commissioned in New York City on November 7 and will then head out for duty five days later.

Before that occurs, however, the public will be welcomed aboard to pay tribute to a truly great symbol of resilience and courage.

Yesterday, the USS New York came to a standstill across from the World Trade Center site, dipped her flag, and delivered a 21-gun salute.  Members of the Fire Department of New York, the New York Police Department, Port Authority Police, members of the families of 9/11 victims and veteran’s gathered on the shore at the North Cove in the World Financial Center to return the salute.

“It is an honor to be associated with the ship.  We are all looking forward to sailing her to New York City for Commissioning,” Commanding Officer F. Curt Jones said.  “I have members of my crew that joined the Navy as a direct result of 9/11. I have crew members that have lost family members on 9/11. I have met numerous people as a result of being associated with the ship that lost family, friends…so we know that the steel that is part of the ship represents in some fashion those people. It represents loss but for us it also represents hope and we keep both of those things close to us,” he added.