Navy Honors Sept. 11 by Naming New Ships for Arlington, Somerset

Navy News Stand ^ | September 9, 2004

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

	Navy Honors Sept. 11 by Naming New Ships for Arlington, Somerset Story Number: NNS040909-13 Release Date: 9/9/2004 3:52:00 PM Special release from the U.S. Department of Defense WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy Gordon England named the eighth and ninth ships of the San Antonio-class of Amphibious Transport Dock ships as Arlington and Somerset. The future USS Arlington and USS Somerset will join USS New York as living tributes to those who suffered in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and to the nation. Arlington was chosen to honor the city and county in northern Virginia, and especially, the 184 victims, aboard American Airlines Flight 77 and on the ground, who died during the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon. Somerset honors the county in Pennsylvania where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed after courageous passengers stormed the cockpit in an attempt to regain control from the terrorists aboard. Their actions prevented the airplane from reaching its destination and inflicting further casualties and damage, and the heroic sacrifice of these 40 passengers and crew rallied and inspired the nation. In naming these ships, England noted the impact these vessels will have on the terrorist infrastructure that led to their naming. "USS Arlington and USS Somerset will help America project power to the far reaches of the earth and will support the cause of freedom as we engage in the current war on terrorism," England said. "The courage and heroism of the people aboard those flights, and in the Pentagon, will never be forgotten by the American people, and as these ships engage in combating terrorism, they will leave a legacy that will never be forgotten by those wishing to do harm to this country." Two previous vessels have been named Arlington. The first was a steel-hulled C1B type cargo ship operating during World War II. The second USS Arlington was a 14,500-ton major communications relay ship, originally commissioned in July 1946, which saw heavy use during the Vietnam War, including helping with communications during a June 1969 conference between U.S. President Richard Nixon and Republic of Vietnam President Thieu. Two previous Navy ships have carried the Somerset name, as well. The first Somerset, a wooden-hulled, side-wheel ferryboat, performed blockade duty and made reconnaissance expeditions for the Union, until she was sold at public auction July 12, 1865. The Navy acquired the second Somerset, a wooden motorboat built in 1917, April 10, 1918, under free lease from the Conservation Commission of Maryland. Designated Id. No. 2162, Somerset served on section patrol duty in the Chesapeake Bay area during World War I. After the armistice was signed, she was returned to her owner Nov. 26, 1918. The 684-foot-long amphibious transport dock ships will be built by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems in New Orleans and will each carry a Navy crew of 363 and 699 Marines. The ships will be used to transport and land Marines, their equipment and supplies by embarked air cushions or conventional landing craft or amphibious vehicles, augmented by helicopters or vertical take off and landing aircraft in amphibious assault, special operations or expeditionary warfare missions. The ships will also incorporate the latest quality of life standards for the embarked Sailors and Marines, including the sit-up berth, ship services mall, a fitness center and learning resource center and electronic classroom with the flexibility to accommodate mixed gender Sailors and Marines as part of the crew and embarked troops. The design team also incorporated hundreds of suggestions and recommendations from more than 1,000 Sailors and Marines in the design for ownership process, to ensure that these ships will meet their needs throughout the first half of the 21st century. For more information on San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships, visit www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/factfile/ships/ship-lpd.html. For more news from the Department of Defense, go to www.defenselink.mil. For more news from around the fleet, visit the Navy NewsStand at www.news.navy.mil.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

The future USS Arlington and USS Somerset will join USS New York as living tributes to those who suffered in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and to the nation.

 

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  Pentagon Chapel stained glass window, "dedicated in the memory of those who died in the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001."

  A Site to Remember , "No design debate. No media noise. Just quiet visitors honoring Flight 93. Lots of them." 

  Navy Reflection Room:   dedicated to the Navy victims of 9-11.

 

 

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[blackie]

Go Navy ~ Bump!

[buffyt]

I had not seen that stained glass window that honors the plane that crashed into the Pentagon. Our own BKO = Barbara Olson died on that flight. She was such a nice, sweet, smart, wonderful, friendly, outgoing great person. I don't think I have ever met anyone who was nicer than she was. It is a great loss, losing her. She was beautiful, but not egotistical. She put the world at ease. Everyone who met her, loved her.

[BroncosFan]

Question for those who know Naval naming protocols: why not call the Somerset the USS Shanksville? The latter is the name linked in the public's mind to Flight 93. Most have no clue what county F93 went down in, but they do know that Shanksville is the town closest to the site.

[birdsman]

The nearest town to the crash site might have been Shanksville, but Somerset is the nearest town of any real size. Shanksville has a population of about 250, while Somerset has a population of about 6500. This was probably a factor in choosing the name.

[SAMWolf]

Navy Bump.

[Ciexyz]

Somerset has a better ring than Shanksville. Besides, in many accounts of the tragedy, the description is 'Flight 93 which crashed in Somerset County'.

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[chambley1]

The U.S.S. Pentagon would be much better than the U.S.S. Peoples Republic of Arlington. Remember, it was then Chairman of the all-Democrap Arlington County Board Chris Zimmerman who threatened to cease Arlington County emergency response to the Pentagon because he was not formally invited to apost-9/11 regognition ceremony. Zimmerman is also the progressive flack who called the Pledge of Alleginace divisive.

[Ciexyz]

I would have no objection to the next navy ship being named "The Pentagon".

[OXENinFLA]

NAMING OF THE USS ``SOMERSET'' -- (Senate - September 13, 2004)

[Page: S9125]  GPO's PDF

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   Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I speak today on the naming of the USS Somerset. On Thursday, September 9, 2004, the United States Navy named the ninth ship of the San Antonio-class of amphibious transport dock ships as Somerset.

   The naming of the USS Somerset honors Somerset County, the county in Pennsylvania where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed after fearless passengers stormed the cockpit preventing the airplane from hitting its intended target. The USS Somerset stands as a reminder of the 40 passengers and crew who exhibited courage and sacrifice in the most dangerous of situations.

   The USS Somerset also symbolizes the renewed hope, compassion, and cooperation that citizens across our country have shared with one another since that horrific day. September 11, 2001, the day that changed our history and our lives was intended to unravel America's strength, but it has only made us stronger.

   When I returned from my first visit to the crash site in Shanksville, PA, I was inspired by the strength of the Flight 93 family members who, being able to keep a better world in sight, now carry the torch of their loves ones. As the USS Somerset carries out its mission by providing transport to Marines embarking on expeditionary warfare missions and special operations, let us not forget the compassion of those who provided aid and support to the family and friends of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, as well as the courage and responsibility displayed by the heroes aboard Flight 93.

   As we reflect on the passing of the third anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, let us not forget the resolve our Nation faced in light of our tragedy. By honoring the memories of all those lost to the terrorist attacks, through the naming of the USS Somerset, we are reminded of what the American spirit is capable of. I will never forget the bravery and sacrifice witnessed on that tragic day 3 years ago. May God continue to bless our country as each of us continues to find our own way to exhibit this renewed American spirit.

[Smartass]

THANKS FOR THE PING