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A Fitting Tribute to the Newest Navy Warship

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS091106-21
Release Date: 11/6/2009 5:36:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Dan Meaney, Pre-Commissioning Unit New York (LPD 21) Public Affairs

NEW YORK (NNS) -- Symbolically crafted from the wreckage of the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history, a sculpture honoring fallen New York City firefighters was presented to the newest ship in the Navy, the future USS New York (LPD 21), just days before the ship was commissioned.

The two-foot tall memorial - a composition of melted metal from a destroyed New York City fire truck, a chunk of concrete and a section of structural steel from the World Trade Center and a piece of an airplane used in the attack supporting a replica assault rifle and firefighter's helmet - is dedicated to the 44 firefighters who, since World War I, gave their lives while serving on active military duty.

The memorial was created by Lt. Patrick Neville, an artist and firefighter with Ladder Company 4-2 of the New York City Fire Department.

"We saved pieces from the wreckage of the trade centers, planning to make some sort of memorial for the station," said Neville.

He said two events changed the direction for the sculpture.

"First, in November of 2005, a New York City firefighter and military reservist, Christopher Engledrum, was killed in action in Iraq while serving on active duty with the Fighting 69th (Army Infantry Regiment)," Neville said. "Second, is when we found out New York was to be commissioned here in the city."

Built in New Orleans, 7.5 tons of steel salvaged from the World Trade Center towers was incorporated into the ship's bow during construction.

"Creating a sculpture out of remnants of the terrorist attack and presenting it to the ship, built with some of the same material, was a perfect match," Neville said.

New York Commanding Officer Cmdr. Curtis Jones accepted the sculpture on board the ship.

"This is a truly fitting tribute to these fallen heroes," Jones said. "The presentation is especially appropriate as this ship, the newest addition to our Navy, is an embodiment of our commitment, our resolve and our remembrance. USS New York will never forget."

New York is an amphibious transport dock designed to transport Marines and their equipment. It will be used to support humanitarian, amphibious assault, special operations and expeditionary warfare missions around the world. The ship, the seventh U.S. Navy ship named for the state, will be commissioned in New York Harbor Nov. 7.

Watch the commissioning ceremony live Nov. 7 at 11 a.m. by visiting www.navy.mil/ussny/index.htm.

For more news from Pre-Commissioning Unit New York (LPD 21), visit www.navy.mil/local/lpd21/.