Governor Paterson & Mayor Bloomberg Announce
Date for USS New York Commissioning in NYC
theBravest.com News 11/13/08
The USS NEW YORK Commissioning Committee, Governor David Paterson and Mayor Michael Bloomberg today announced the commissioning date of USS NEW YORK as Saturday November 7, 2009 in New York Harbor. The Commissioning ceremony, which marks the official entrance of the ship into the U.S. Navy fleet, will take place at the INTREPID Pier.
Named for the State of New York, the ship is currently completing construction in Louisiana and features the most advanced military technology. It is unique in that approximately 7.5 tons of steel from the ruins of the World Trade Center has been forged into its bow.
The two officials made the announcement on Veterans Day at ceremonies in New York City. The Chairman of the USS NEW YORK Commissioning Committee is John A. Thain, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Merrill Lynch.
"The Commissioning of USS NEW YORK in New York City a year from now will be a proud and defining moment for all New Yorkers," said Governor Paterson at the Intrepid Museum during Official Opening Day ceremonies. "Steel from the World Trade Center forged into the bow of the ship and naming the ship for New York is an extraordinary tribute to the lives lost that day and a distinct representation of the spirit of all New Yorkers."
Mayor Bloomberg announced the Commissioning date at a Veterans Day reception at Gracie Mansion, and said "New Yorkers will never forget the courage and sacrifice of all the men and women who have served our country and USS NEW YORK is going to be another powerful symbol of the deeply personal connection that New Yorkers have to the fight in which our military is now engaged."
As chairman of the USS NEW YORK Commissioning Committee, Thain heads a group of civic minded New Yorkers and New York corporations in planning and conducting welcoming events and also establishing a USS NEW YORK Foundation that benefits the crew and their families.
The ship will arrive in New York City on November 2, 2009, when USS NEW YORK will be open for public visiting during the commissioning week, culminating in the November 7 invitation only commissioning ceremony.
"The significance of this ship's commissioning in New York is immense," said Thain. "When USS NEW YORK makes her entrance into New York Harbor, with that special steel forged into her bow, she will be in a sense coming home as an important symbol of both strength and remembrance. Our goal on the Commissioning Committee is to make sure that when the ship and her crew depart after a week-long welcome and the commissioning ceremony, that she will carry not just that special steel, but also the spirit of New York and New Yorkers with her," he added.
The 25,000-ton USS NEW YORK is 684 feet long, 105 feet wide, and is the fifth amphibious transport dock ship in the U.S. Navy's San Antonio Class. The newest addition to the Navy's 21st century amphibious assault force, the USS NEW YORK will have a crew of about 360 sailors and will be capable of transporting 700 combat-ready Marines. The ship, sometimes referred to as a stealth ship, will also carry the Osprey tilt rotor aircraft, Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) craft, and Marine expeditionary vehicles.
USS NEW YORK was christened on March 1, 2008 at Northrop Grumman's Avondale, LA shipyard, where it is being completed prior to undergoing sea trials.
Further information on the ship and the planned events can be found on the official web site of the USS NEW YORK Commissioning Committee at www.USSNY.org. The web site offers exclusive and authorized commemorative items for sale, proceeds of which will go to the USS NEW YORK Commissioning Committee and the USS NEW YORK Foundation.
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