U.S.S. New York Commissioned: "America Always Comes Back"

(Photograph from the US Navy - Dan Meaney)

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With a military flyover and cannons firing, the U.S. Navy's newest assault ship, the U.S.S. New York, was commissioned yesterday. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus referred to the fact that 7.5 tons of steel from the former World Trade Center was used to build the chip, "No matter how many times you attack us, we always come back. America always comes back. That's what this ship represents."

There were many dignitaries at the ceremony: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, "In that steel, burned but unbroken, lives the spirit we saw on 9-11. Sometimes our pain can lead us to purpose...The strongest steel of New York has always been in the spines of its people," while Governor Paterson said, "This ship has been the product of a lot of hard work. It is not just named the New York - it IS New York."

The USS New York is open to visitors today through Wednesday—Sunday, November 8 - 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; Monday, November 9 - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Tuesday, November 10 - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Wednesday, November 11 - 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.— more details here.