USS New York Christened

As a follow up to the post that started this blog the USS New York was christened Saturday, March 1st, 2008. Present at the christening were some friends and family of those who died when the towers fell on 9/11/2001.

The hulking gray USS New York, trimmed in red, white and blue banners, bore a seal on its bow, which included two gray bars to symbolize the Twin Towers and a banner over that declaring "Never Forget." The bow stem contains 7.5 tons of steel from the site.

As is tradition in the Navy, boats are named after inspiring events, people or places. The sailors on the USS New York inherit the legacy of the New Yorks that came before her, as well as the extraordinary event that led to this name being bestowed upon an LPD rather then a submarine, which states names are usually reserved for.

One last interesting fact, via wikipedia:

Oddly enough, 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 WTC was attacked.

God bless the sailors and marines that serve on the USS New York and keep them safe. May they also deliver swift justice to our enemies.