9/11 steel poured for USS Somerset (USS Arlington and USS New York almost ready to go!)

Tribune Democrat ^ | KIRK SWAUGER

[Libloather]

9/11 steel poured for USS Somerset
By KIRK SWAUGER
Published: August 06, 2008 11:35 pm

SOMERSET — The old draglines that towered above the reclaimed strip mine where Flight 93 crashed near Shanks-ville almost seven years ago are gone.

But their symbolic significance to the day average Americans fought back against terror will not be lost.

Twenty-two tons of steel from one of the large cranes was melted and poured Wednesday for the stemhold of the USS Somerset, a Navy vessel being constructed in honor of Flight 93’s passengers and crew.

“We’re going to be cutting the water for that ship around the world,” Somerset County Commissioner John Vatavuk said after the smelting at the Northrup Grumman plant in Newport News, Va.

Vatavuk and his wife, Janet, represented the county at the ceremony.

“This was a bigger deal than what I ever expected,” Vatavuk said. “We got the red-carpet treatment.”

The stemhold – the leading edge of the ship – will be sent to Mississippi, where the amphibious landing vessel will be built.

The USS Somerset, USS Arlington and USS New York are among three ships that will honor the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001. Twenty-one tons of steel from the former World Trade Center were used in the construction of the USS New York.

Vatavuk said he and his wife were the first to sign a banner for the USS Somerset. The banner will be sent to Mississippi during construction of the vessel and probably will head to Somerset County upon its completion, he said.

Officials have said the USS Somerset is expected to be completed by 2012.

In a nutshell -

What: San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock.

Size: the 684-foot-long craft can carry 699 people; 66 officers and 633 enlisted.

Armament: Two 30 mm Bushmaster II cannons for surface threat defense and two Rolling Airframe Missile launchers for air defense.

Aircraft carried: Four CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters or two MV-22 tilt rotor aircraft may be launched or recovered simultaneously.

[Libloather]

I'm ex-Air Force, but I'm willing to bend - just a bit. GO NAVY!

USS NEW YORK. (PRNewsFoto/USS NEW YORK Commissioning Committee; Merrill Lynch, Northrop Grumman Corporation)

From an email -

USS New York

It was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center

It is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.

Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite, LA to cast the ship's bow section.

When it was poured into the molds on Sept 9, 2003, 'those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence,' recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. 'It was a spiritual moment for everybody there.'

Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the 'hair on my neck stood up.' 'It had a big meaning to it for all of us,' he said. 'They knocked us down. They can't keep us down.. We're going to be back.'

The ship's motto? 'Never Forget'.

[Libloather]

If someone could save that photo on some server in order to be used in the future, it would be greatly appreciated.

Many more photos should follow, I'm sure...

[BunnySlippers]

Way to go BUMP

[ConorMacNessa]

Went to the link but I don't get a photo with the story.

[hsalaw]

The ship's motto? 'Never Forget'.

We will never forget. The Flight 93 heros were our first fighters in the war on islamofascist terror.

[ConorMacNessa]

[Libloather]

Went to the link but I don't get a photo with the story.

That photo came from Yahoo.

[Stonewall Jackson]

My dad and I are going to Gettysburg in October. On the way home, we are making the detour up to Shanksville to pay our respects to the heroes of United 93.

[Stonewall Jackson]

The New York's motto is "Never Forget." I wonder what the Somerset's motto will be.

Personally, I vote for "Let's Roll!"

[Floyd Rivers]

Way to go!

[Libloather]

Merrill Lynch Chairman and CEO John A. Thain Named Chairman of USS NEW YORK Commissioning Committee
Committee to Establish Foundation to Fund Scholarships for Crew Families
Thursday August 7, 8:00 am ET

NEW YORK, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The USS NEW YORK Commissioning Committee today announced that John A. Thain, chairman and chief executive officer of Merrill Lynch (NYSE: MER - News), has accepted the volunteer post as chairman of the committee.

**SNIP**

USS NEW YORK (LPD21) has forged into its bow approximately 7.5 tons of steel from the ruins of the World Trade Center. A ship commissioning is a centuries-old tradition marking a naval vessel's official entry into the U.S. Navy fleet.

In addition to organizing commission-related activities, the committee will establish the USS NEW YORK Foundation, which will provide funds for morale, readiness and emergency needs of the crew, as well as scholarships for children of the ship's first and future crew members.

"It is an honor to be part of this important event," said John Thain. "The significance of this ship's commissioning in New York is immense, particularly given the impact on our community downtown as well as on all New Yorkers. When the 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."

**SNIP**

"Those who will serve aboard the USS NEW YORK will play an important role in ensuring the defense of our freedoms wherever threats may arise. This commissioning is special, as it will honor the crew, as well as the people of the State and City of New York."

**SNIP**

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 official commemorative items for sale, proceeds of which will go to the USS NEW YORK Commissioning Committee and the foundation.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080807/nyth043.html?.v=101

[shove_it]

Photos here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ussnewyork/806532196/in/set-72157606613743770/

[haircutter]

Sad that John Vatavuk was chosen to represent Somerset Country...he is the head of the Democrat's in this area...

[haircutter]

oops...
Uncle Eddie is our Gov. in PA....guess that is how Mr. Vatavuk was chosen...saw nothing of this in our local paper...small town news I guess...

[Libloather]

Uncle Eddie is our Gov. in PA....

Fast Eddie didn't TRUMPET this? Lemme guess - he's kinda busy getting ready for the RAT convention...

[calex59]

Twenty-two tons of steel from one of the large cranes was melted and poured Wednesday for the stemhold of the USS Somerset, a Navy vessel being constructed in honor of Flight 93’s passengers and crew.

This can't be, Rosie O'donut said that fire can't melt steel, that it has never been done, thus the WTC destruction was caused by Bush. /SAR

Actually I saw a picture of this ship last week. It is a great looking ship and a good use for the steel.

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

Won't Be Long Now,Boyzz-n-Girlzz!! She Already Went Through Katrina!!!

[Cacique]

btt

[brityank]

I wonder if it was offered to Howard Lutnick of Cantor Fitzgerald Securities; his firm lost more people in the towers than any other entity, almost two-thirds of his workforce, yet he kept it together and is rebuilding back. He, and Cantor, deserve it far more than Thain and Merrill.

[never4get]

My email to USS New York: My family and I plan on being at the Commissioning ceremony to take place in New York City Harbor in Fall '09.... I am in my mid 40's married with two daughters (9 and 15). Please pass on to the Captain and crew that I lost a friend in Tower 1 ...great guy, Kevin Murphy..left behind is a little girl and boy, and his wife Beth. They all lost a terrific father and husband and those who knew him lost a friend. I will never4get what these evil people did to us. I feel it is that important that we fight terrorism and those countries supporting terrorism with everything we have to safeguard my children, all children, America's future. I want the Captain and crew of the USS New York to know I support them. In further memory of Kevin: http://memorial.mmc.com/pgBio.asp?ID=196