Heart Of Steel
NY Post 11/6/09
USS
New York joins the fleet tomorrow -- the seventh warship of the US Navy
to bear the name, and among the first purpose-built to fight the
nation's 21st-century wars.
We wish her fair winds and following seas as she begins what should be
decades of exemplary service to America.
By now, New York's story is well-known: Dedicated to the heroes of 9/11,
the vessel is intended as a symbol of defiance to the perpetrators of
the attack and the nihilist philosophies that animated them. In that
spirit, she carries 7.5 tons of steel salvaged from the World Trade
Center in her bow.
How appropriate, then, that 9/11 responders from the FDNY, the NYPD and
the Port Authority police will actively join New York's crew during
tomorrow's commissioning ceremonies.
This is no small honor -- and it is eminently well-deserved.
But once the vessel's commissioning pennant is raised -- as it will be
shortly before noon tomorrow -- symbolism becomes subordinate to
mission: New York will begin training in earnest to deliver deadly force
to America's enemies.
USS New York has a very specific purpose: A San Antonio-class amphibious
assault ship, she can carry up to 800 Marines to the ends of the earth
and deposit them directly at the scene of conflict.
Those capabilities stand to make New York a real asset in the
War on
Terror -- and greatly increase the chances that her crew will see
combat.
In that respect, the vessel is hardly unique. Warships, after all, are
meant to go to war.
But it remains that New York is special. There's the steel in her bow,
and the defiant spirit it represents, which make New York an especially
tempting target for those looking to kill Americans, and to diminish
American resolve.
Her crew is fully aware of this -- and accepts the enhanced danger.
Indeed, many from New York -- city and state -- specifically volunteered
for duty aboard the vessel.
America needs to be equally clear-eyed about New York, her mission and
the special risks that attend service aboard her.
For certain, New York's crew won't flinch.
Neither can the nation.
USS New York remains at Pier 88 on Manhattan's West Side until Nov. 12.
The ship honors its namesake state.
New Yorkers of good will should stop by and pay their respects.
