FReeper Canteen~USS New York~11 Sept 08

Various internet | Canteen Crew

[AZamericonnie]

The Freeper Canteen Presents

The USS New York (LPD-21)

Commissioning Unit New York (LPD-21), the fifth ship in the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, is the sixth ship of the United States Navy to be named for the state of New York. The ship was designed to deliver a fully-equipped battalion of 700 Marines.

The ship is the first to be fully designed from the CAD-screen up to support all three of the Marines' primary mobility capabilities—Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV), Landing Craft, Landing Craft Air Cushioned vehicle and the MV-22 Osprey.

This photo was taken shortly after the Christening Ceremony on March 1st of 2008.

Shortly after September 11, 2001, Governor of New York George E. Pataki wrote a letter to Secretary of the Navy Gordon England requesting that the Navy bestow the name USS New York on a surface warship involved in the War on Terror in honor of September 11's victims. In his letter, the Governor said he understood state names are currently reserved for submarines, but asked for special consideration so the name could be given to a surface ship. The request was approved August 28, 2002.

Coincidentally, a previous holder of the name, USS New York (BB-34), had its keel laid on September 11, 1911, exactly 90 years to the day before the World Trade Center was attacked.

Twenty-four tons of the steel used in its construction came from the small amount of rubble from the World Trade Center actually preserved for posterity. Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down at Amite Foundry and Machine in Amite, Louisiana to cast the ship's bow section. It was poured into the molds on September 9, 2003. With seven tons melted down and cast to form the ship's "stem bar"—part of the ship's bow. The shipyard workers reportedly treated it with "reverence usually accorded to religious relics", gently touching it as they walked by. One worker actually delayed his retirement after 40 years work in order to be a part of the project.

Amite, La. (Sept. 9, 2003) -- Workers pour molten steel into a mold to form the bow stem of the Amphibious Transport Dock ship USS New York (LPD 21). In the foreground a previously cast bow stem can be seen as an example of what the New York bow stem will resemble. About 24 tons of steel was salvaged from the World Trade Center, which was destroyed in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Approximately 10-percent of the steel was lost when the foundry superheated the 48,780 pounds of steel to 2,850 degrees Fahrenheit. U.S. Navy photo Photographer's Mate 2nd Class George Trian.

On September 9, 2004, the Secretary of the Navy announced that two of her sister ships will be named Arlington and Somerset, in commemoration of the places two of the other planes used in the attack came down: Somerset County, Pennsylvania and Arlington, Virginia.

The contract to build New York was awarded to Northrop Grumman Ship Systems of New Orleans, Louisiana in 2003. New York was under construction in New Orleans at the time of Hurricane Katrina.

Areal view of the keel laying ceremony at Northrop Grummans Shipbuilding Facility in Avondale LA. on September 10, 2004

The prospective commanding officer is Commander F. Curtis Jones, a native of Binghamton, New York.

New York was christened on March 1, 2008, in a ceremony at Avondale Shipyards in New Orleans, Louisiana. Dotty England, the ship’s sponsor, smashed the traditional champagne bottle on the ship’s bow and christened the ship New York. Several dignitaries were in attendance, including Louisiana Congressman William J. Jefferson, Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England, members of the New York Police Department and New York Fire Department, and family members of 9/11 victims. The champagne bottle did not break the first time it was struck against the hull of the ship, but the second attempt was successful.

Dotty England smiles after breaking a bottle of champagne against the hull of the New York in christening ceremonies at Northrop Grumman shipyard in Avondale, La., Saturday, March 1, 2008.

The ship commissioning of USS New York, is planned to take place in the fall of 2009

~~Videos~~

"God bless this great ship, God bless all our veterans … and those who every day defend our freedoms and liberties, and may God continue to bless America."
Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Well..
How about dat?
LOL

[luvie]

Long as you’re not mixing stuff up! LOL!

We DO want you around!

Is it getting “fallish” up there? Do you know that our high
today was 72 WITH rain??? It’s marvelous, and I slept like
a baby last night in the cool of the night.

[Kathy in Alaska]

And here is al....grabbing the gold!!

[HiJinx]

Oh God....

[MS.BEHAVIN]

[luvie]

Yes.

Hi, Jinxy!

(((hugs)))

[luvie]

How beautiful fall is up there. I would love to be there
now!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, AZ, for the link to “Remembering 9-11”. Thanks, Dolly....we must never forget.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

*HUG*
I know...

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Actually..
In about 2 weeks from now would be a great time to see it.
I wish you could be here, too!
*sniff*

[luvie]

Why wasn’t I born rich instead of beautiful! **batting eyelashes**

ROFL!!!!

Then I could just fly up when I want to!

[HiJinx]

Thanks, I needed that.

Gonna stick around for a few more minutes, then I need to head in to work. Seems like we one of those crunch time all-nighters going on, and they need me for some sort of something...

Actually, the young lady I had picked to handle this chore has a 6-month-old, and we decided not to ruin her night. The task was supposed to run from 7-9PM, and it’s been delayed until after 11. It’s gonna fall on me to get it done.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

I NEVER mix stuff up.
I give out meds for a living..
I know what I’m talking!
All is well!
Doc and I have discussed this..no worries!
Our “high” was about 70 today..
46, now.
Gonna make a chicken and sausage gumbo on the woodstove tomorrow!
YOM!
Warm house, good food, all smells divine!
Life is good!
(Until winter hits!)

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Oh no!
You going into work, Now?

[HiJinx]

Some time in the next half hour or so, depending on when the current team gets their part of the job done.

We have to have the product in the Home Office before they come in to work tomorrow morning.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Hee hee!
Or I could fly down DERE..on a whim..
*sigh*
We beauties must make sacrifices for the common good!
*snicker*

[luvie]

We can always use hugs.

Wish you didn’t have to work all night. Be careful on your
drive. See you tomorrow night!

You are a good man to let the young mommy stay home.

[yorkie]

Oh, what beautiful fall pictures!

I wish you all could have seen this, when you were here. (Taken from diningroom, through patio door.)

Fall is (to me) the most beautiful on the east coast! I hope you will be able to share some pictures with us, Ms.B!

[HiJinx]

You are a good man to let the young mommy stay home.

Don' tell nobody, but I love my ladies. The work they do is critical to the company's success, and I cannot abide the thought of abusing their good will.

[luvie]

It’s 69 here....very cool for us this early in the fall
season.

Nice!!!

I need to go to bed, Sis! I am off tomorrow, but my eyelids
are getting verrrry heavy! Nighty-night!

Nite everyone!!! ~~waving~~ LUV ya’s!!!!

(((LBH)))...BB!