Left: The USS New York Original photo by Laurita

A commissioning of a ship marks her entry into active Navy service, but The USS New York represents something extra special.

It is made with seven and a half tons of steel from the Twin Towers that were bullt into the ship’s bow. The ship was built in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her motto, “Strength forged through sacrifice. Never forget,” reminds all of the terrorist attacks that killed so many innocent civilians and the heroic actions of the firefighter, police, and other first responders who rushed to the scene to save thousands of lives.

Everywhere this ship goes, she will be a visible and defiant reminder of the 3,000 lives lost in the attack on September 11, 2001: the worst attack ever suffered on American soil.

I took this video just to give you an idea of just how massive the ship is:

Out of the ashes of the World Trade Center, to the bow of this new ship, my prayers are with those brave men and women who sacrifice their lives for the rest of us back home. 

As a native New Yorker, I welcome those 7 1/2 tons of World Trade Center steel back to the neighborhood and wherever it goes after today, may it serve as a lasting memorial to all those who perished on 9/11 and a reminder to us to build a more peaceful world for future generations.

I was invited to witness the commissioning of the ship on Saturday November 7 with the 9/11 familites, NYC firefighters, Marines, and  Naval officers, and their families because we have a family member who is a retired Rear Admiral, who also participated in putting the commissioning together.

Among the speakers were Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. The  Commanding Officers of The USS New York, NY Governor David Paterson, NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and former NYC Mayor Rudoplh Giuiani, among others were also there, but did not speak.

TV Video of some of the ceremony

I was also allowed to board the ship after the ceremony and explore it with the other families that attended the commissioning ceremony.

In Tribute to Those Who Were Lost In Gratitude to Those Who Served We Salute and Remember You

delete reply nemo4sun wrote on Nov 8, ’09 oh ! i have been waiting on this! what an honor such a huge ship it is hard to wrap my mind around even with your pictures and you look beautifull also thanks for posting these and letting me share 🙂

edit delete reply lauritasita wrote on Nov 8, ’09 It was such an honor to be there! I couldn’t wait to post this. I will be honoring this ship again tommorriw for Poetry Wednesday because I have a beautiful poem that was recited at the commissioning by one of the commanding officers.

delete reply jadedruid wrote on Nov 8, ’09 I heard on the radio it had sailed into New York Harbor and paused with a salute to the victims. Thank you so much for posting this! I have been following this ship being built. It means a lot to this country. I can’t wait to read the poem!

edit delete reply lauritasita wrote on Nov 8, ’09 jadedruid said I heard on the radio it had sailed into New York Harbor and paused with a salute to the victims. Thank you so much for posting this! I have been following this ship being built. It means a lot to this country. I can’t wait to read the poem! Thank you, Sharon for commenting on this important event. Sometimes I think people are becoming complacient again when it comes to homeland security. The building of this ship will remind them of the tragedy of 9/11, as ot carries the steel that fell that day.

delete reply pestep55 wrote on Nov 8, ’09 It must have been something to see. Thanks for the great post /:-)

edit delete reply lauritasita wrote on Nov 8, ’09 pestep55 said It must have been something to see. Thanks for the great post /:-) Yes, it really was an exciting day! We were exhausted when we got home, but it was well worth it to experience this once in a lifetime event, and to be able to share it with all of you!

delete reply madisonpooface wrote on Nov 8, ’09 The ship is very fine and it must have been a very heartwarming experience to have been there. I am not a native born New Yorker but I did live in the city for 23 years of my adult life and just missed the disater by 4 years, so I know how you feel being at this celebration. Get photos, you look fab.

edit delete reply lauritasita wrote on Nov 8, ’09 madisonpooface said The ship is very fine and it must have been a very heartwarming experience to have been there. I am not a native born New Yorker but I did live in the city for 23 years of my adult life and just missed the disater by 4 years, so I know how you feel being at this celebration. Get photos, you look fab. Thanks so much! It was great being there to experience the whole thing even though it was so cold being outside for the whole ceremony!

delete reply scribe5 wrote on Nov 8, ’09 good for you!  I am glad you were there

edit delete reply lauritasita wrote on Nov 8, ’09 scribe5 said good for you! I am glad you were there Thanks so much! Yes, I’m proud to have been able to experience it.

edit delete reply lauritasita wrote on Nov 9, ’09 pestep55 said It must have been something to see. Thanks for the great post /:-) It was a real treat to witness this. Thank you for commenting!

delete reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Nov 9, ’09 Great job, very exciting indeed. The idea of the Phoenix rising from the ashes comes to mind.  NY lives.

edit delete reply lauritasita wrote on Nov 11, ’09 sanssouciblogs said The idea of the Phoenix rising from the ashes comes to mind. NY lives. Yes, those were my thoughts too!

delete reply sweetpotatoqueen wrote on Nov 12, ’09 lauritasita said As a native New Yorker, I welcome those 7 1/2 tons of World Trade Center steel back to the neighborhood and wherever it goes after today, may it serve as a lasting memorial to all those who perished on 9/11 and a reminder to us to build a more peaceful world for future generations.   Laurita: I share your sentiments from elsewhere in the country! This is so interesting…thanks for leading me here,my friend! May we never forget!