USS New York
 

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/3166/newyork8jb.jpg
Artist's Rendering of the USS New York

With a year to go before it even touches the water, the Navy's amphibious assault ship, USS New York, has already made history. 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'

Found on snopes:
http://www.snopes.com/photos/military/ussnewyork.asp


I think this is really cool and inspirational, especially what the foundry manager said. What do think? I can't imagine what the families of the victims will feel when they see it? Joy or saddness?

It makes me proud, like we American's can be kicked in the teeth but we always come back fighting.

Happy Birthday USA!

now that's cool...

Brings a smile to my face and a slight tear to my eye. :)

Happy 4th of July everyone!

That's really cool (although I was a bit distracted by your avatar for a moment :D)... My first thought was this must be urban legend about the steel but your snopes link convinces me. Nicely done to the folks involved in building this vessel!

Good to see a physical reminder that we can come back from this type of adversity stronger than before.

Let the scraps of what they thought to destroy be what destroys them.
Karma is a real wench... isnt it!

Lady Sage, I like the way you think!

If we find Osama, I say we put him in a boat and drive the World Trade Center right up his ass!

Not knocking the ship, the mission, or anything else. But personally, I find the idea a little creepy. Like saint's relics, things like that.

The worlds cultures all pretty much run on symbolism of some kind or another, it is somewhat inevitable- and i agree it follows the same course as saints relics- depending on where this particular crusade goes will see if it is a righteous harnessing of this cultural tendency or not....