WTC steel back home, USS New York commissioned by U.S. Navy

Seven and a half tons of World Trade Center steel made its way home as part of the bow of the newly commissioned USS New York. The ceremony was held on Nov. 7. Navy Secretary Mabus calls it "the birth of another memorial to liberty."

According to the U.S. Navy, the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) was commissioned in New York. The ship will be used to support humanitarian, special operations, amphibious assault, and expeditionary warfare missions around the world. The USS New York has has 7.5 tons of steel salvaged from the World Trade Center towers forged into her bow. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus called the USS New York "a symbol of freedom similar to the Statue of Liberty," and explained how "this ship will be a reminder of all New York and the nation went through on September 11th." Further, Mabus said:

Today, we witness the birth of another memorial to liberty. Eight years ago, this city witnessed the worst atrocities committed against our country. The New York will be a visible testimony to our resilience, to the character of this city, to the strength of this country.

The ceremony's keynote speaker, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, a former New York senator, said:

This ship carries with it searing memories of September 11. Lives cut short, families ripped apart, a nation attacked. And in that steel, burned but unbroken, lives the spirit we saw on 9/11 and the days that followed, the bravery of the rescuers, the resolve of the survivors, the compassion of this city, the patriotism of this great country.

The commissioning ceremony was witnessed by thousands of veterans and invited guests.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Comm Specialist 1st Class Dan Meaney

The amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) is commissioned in New York. Nov. 7, 2009.

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As reported in DigitalJournal.com, the ship arrived in New York on Nov. 2 and rendered honors near the World Trade Center site. The ship was built at Avondale Shipyard in New Orleans by Northrop Grumman and christened March 1, 2008. The USS New York is the sixth Navy ship named for the state, and its homeport will be in Norfolk, Va.