USS New York

The United States Navy christened the USS New York earlier today. Seven and a half tons of steel recovered from Ground Zero following the terror attacks of September 11, 2001 were used to form the bow of the ship.

Rep. Vito Fossella from New York said at the christening ceremony at the Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding facility in New Orleans

“It’s inspiring to see the wreckage of ground zero transformed into a magnificent and mighty Navy vessel that will patrol our homeland, protect our nation, guard our safety, defend freedom and defend liberty,” he said.

The ships motto is “Strength Forged Through Sacrifice. Never Forget.”

Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans while the ship was being built adding to the story of American strength this ship represents.

The sacrifice that went into building the ship is staggering. In addition to recovering and shipping the steel from the ruins of the World Trade Center, the workers in Louisiana had to deal with hurricane Katrina. Many reported back to work just two weeks after the storm struck. Ship workers were building the USS New York as they were also rebuilding their lives.

New York Firefighter James Earl says he lost more than 90 close friends in the attack on the World Trade Center. He said he came from New York to be in New Orleans for the christening because he wanted to thank the Louisiana ship builders.

Lee Ielpi, a retired New York Firefighter whose 29-year-old son Jonathon died at Ground Zero, said when the New York cuts the water “those ripples are going to be felt worldwide.”

“Surely as day follows the night, good follows evil… if it takes those who would guard the streets of heaven to follow evil into the gates of hell, they will come from ships like New York,” Marine Gen. Robert Magnus told those gathered at the ceremony.

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