The glorious USS New York, an amphibious transport/assault vessel, arrived in New York Harbor today, floating quietly in the water near Ground Zero for a moment to honor those lost on September 11, 2001. Following the moment of silence, a 21-gun salute was fired from the ship’s fantail.
The USS New York is 684 feet long and was built using 7.5 tons of salvaged steel, which was placed inside her bow. The steel, once an integral structural component of the Twin Towers, was taken from Ground Zero. The ship cost about $1.2 billion dollars to build, and will be commissioned on November 7th.
The crowd on shore included NYPD, NYFD, tourists, public officials and other New Yorkers who wanted to pay respect to those who died on September 11th. On board, the president of the September 11th Families’ Association, Lee Ielpi, was remembering his son, a 29-year old firefighter named Jonathan. Jonathan was killed on September 11th, leaving behind a wife and two children.
Despite his sadness, Lee Ielpi said that he and many other people on board the USS New York were happy to be there, calling today a “good day.”
“We’re smiling through our tears,” Ielpi said.
The USS New York was escorted into New York Harbor by NYPD helicopters, and when she reached the Verrazano Bridge off of Staten Island, she was greeted by NYDF boats shooting red, white and blue water into the air off of Governors Island. The USS New York will dock at Pier 88, next to the USS Intrepid until she makes her way up the Hudson to the George Washington Bridge.
The USS New York is one of only four ships of its class currently ready for service in the U.S. Naval fleet. Two new ships are being constructed and will also be named in honor of September 11th – the USS Arlington will be named for the attacks at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and the USS Somerset is to be named for the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 in a Pennsylvania field.
Commander Curt Jones, who rode in to the harbor today aboard the New York, said that today truly was “fantastic.”
“It really does feel like we’re coming home,” Cmdr. Jones said.
A number of important guests and several 9/11 first responders were flown out to the ship on Marine helicopters. The VIP list included Ferg Foley, a senior officer for the Army National Guard and response coordinator at Ground Zero during the first days following the attacks. Chaplain Laura Bender of New York was also on board today. “The ship for me is a symbol of how life always comes from death and strength comes from adversity. I really feel we are sailing the World Trade Center home.”
She also believes that the USS New York will help many New Yorkers heal and move forward from the tragedy.
“There will be a lot of healing just by moving past Ground Zero and saluting the site and receiving a salute back from the fire department.”
The “homecoming” of the USS New York began this morning, at 4 am, with a recording of Old Blue Eyes’ version of New York, New York” blaring from the ship’s speakers. An appropriate tribute to the ship, and to the city that welcomed her home today.
One of the men on board, Fred Tiedmann, has served in our Navy for 26 years. Tiedmann is the USS New York’s boatswain, and is responsible for all deck equipment. In his years with the Navy, he has served on about twelve ships.
But for Tiedmann, the USS New York is extra-special. Tiedmann, a native New Yorker, knew several people who lost their lives on September 11th.
“It’s going to be pretty special,” he said when asked about the return of World Trade Center steel to the city. “It means a lot to the crew” to be a part of the experience, according to Tiedmann.
Ferg Foley summed up the feelings of those on board perfectly.
“It’s amazing,” Foley said. “Just knowing that some of that steel from Ground Zero” has been incorporated into the ship’s construction gives New Yorkers and all Americans a sense of pride.
“It represents the fighting spirit of the United States,” Foley stated.
As a Navy veteran myself, this story truly touches me and reminds me of why I joined the Navy. Please share this with friends and family today!
