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

[AZamericonnie]

It is my plan to take my wife and children into Manhattan the week of 9/11/09 when the USS New York sails into NY Harbor

What as powerful & moving sight that will be!

I do hope you'll share some pics with us?:)

I LOVE the pics of you islet on your homepage....stunning!

Thanks so much for adding tribute to those we've lost & our troops never4get.

[AZamericonnie]

Stunning table Meg! *Hugs*

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hankie Alert!

Face of Defense: Guardsman Recalls Twist That Saved Him on 9/11

By Army Sgt. S. Patrick McCollum Special to American Forces Press Service

ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 11, 2008 – Seven years ago today, Army Col. William Stoppel dropped his 9-month-old son, Will, at day care and went to work.

“It was my son’s first day at Pentagon day care,” Stoppel said. “I came in early, got him situated and went in to the office.”

The day happened to be Sept. 11, 2001. Stoppel was assigned to the Army’s personnel office, where he processed promotion packets.

When Stoppel got to his office, he borrowed some socks from Chief Warrant Officer William Ruth of the Maryland National Guard, talked to newly engaged Medical Service Corps officer Lt. Col. Karen Wagner and made light conversation with soldiers like Col. Canfield “Bud” Boone from the Indiana Army National Guard.

“I walked in that morning with Bud Boone,” Stoppel said, recalling the conversation he had with him about a picnic they both attended. “I kind of joked with him about being an Olympian, because he played in every sport they offered that day. And for an ‘old guy,’ he was actually a pretty good athlete.”

After the morning staff meeting, rumors flew that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. Office staff flocked to televisions to get confirmation.

Something wasn’t right, Stoppel recalled, but he didn’t know what it was. He decided to check on his son at the day care center. At the same time, he would go for his morning jog a little early -- an unusual change for such a schedule-oriented person.

The rest of the story.

[MEG33]

Thank you connie.(((HUGS)))

[Kathy in Alaska]

Servicemembers of Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan salute the colors at a remembrance ceremony at Camp Eggers in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sept. 11, 2008. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Tim Newborn, Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan

Servicemembers of Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan observe a moment of silence during a remembrance ceremony for victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on America at Camp Eggers in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sept. 11, 2008. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Tim Newborn, Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan

Army Maj. Gen. Robert Cone, commander of Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan, and Army Sgt. Maj. Gregory Valcin, acting CSTC-A command sergeant major, place a wreath below a flag flown at half-staff during a remembrance ceremony at Camp Eggers in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sept. 11, 2008. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Tim Newborn, Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan

[Cindy]

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51134

“Pentagon 9/11 Memorial Ensures a Nation Will Not Forget”
By Fred W. Baker III
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2008

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http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51133

“Multinational Corps Iraq Troops, Civilians Gather in Tribute”
American Forces Press Service
BAGHDAD, Sept. 11, 2008

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http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51131

“Deployed Soldier Relates Firsthand Account of 9/11”
By Army Sgt. Jason Dangel
Special to American Forces Press Service
CAMP TAJI, Iraq , Sept. 11, 2008

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http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51130

“Soldiers in Baghdad Render Honors to Nation, Fallen Brethren”
By Army Pfc. Lyndsey Dransfield
Special to American Forces Press Service
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq , Sept. 11, 2008

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http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51129

“Deployed New York Guardsmen Honor Fallen Firefighters, 9/11 Victims”
By Army Lt. Col. Paul Fanning
Special to American Forces Press Service
KABUL, Afghanistan, Sept. 11, 2008

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http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51128

“Recruits Mark 9/11 Anniversary Entering Military Service”
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
FORT MEADE, Md. , Sept. 11, 2008

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http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51127

“Troops, Civilians From Various Nations Commemorate 9/11 at Bagram”
By Army Spc. Mary L. Gonzalez
Special to American Forces Press Service
BAGRAM AIRFIELD , Sept. 11, 2008

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http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51123

“Pentagon Memorial Dedication Recalls 9/11 Sacrifices”
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2008

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http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51121

“Troops at Camp Eggers Remember 9/11”
By Navy Seaman Timothy Newborn
Special to American Forces Press Service
KABUL, Afghanistan, Sept. 11, 2008

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http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51118

“Face of Defense: Guardsman Recalls Twist That Saved Him on 9/11”
By Army Sgt. S. Patrick McCollum
Special to American Forces Press Service
ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 11, 2008

#

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51117

“Military Policeman Firefighter Recall 9/11”
By Army Spc. Justin Snyder
Special to American Forces Press Service
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq, Sept. 11, 2008

[Kathy in Alaska]

Click the pic…..

It's The Star Spangled Banner's Birthday!

NOTE: CANTEEN MUSIC
Posted daily and on the Music Thread
for the enjoyment of our troops and visitors.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Cindy...great links for remembrances of 9-11.

[Cindy]

You’re welcome Kathy.

Our troops are insightful, thoughtful and purpose driven.
I wish the main-stream media had picked up some of those news releases.