The amphibious dock landing ship USS New York (LPD 21) transits New York Harbor Nov. 2. The ship has 7.5 tons of steel from the World Trade Center in her bow and was commissioned Nov. 7 in New York City. It was named in honor of those who lost their lives in the World Trade Center during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. U.S. Coast Guard photo by PO3 Barbara L. Patton.
My family and I had the privilege of watching from a pilot boat as USS New York (LPD 21) entered the New York harbor Nov. 2 for her commissioning ceremony. We stood topside while the pilot boat led the USS New York down the Hudson River for its first trip to its namesake city. The ship’s debut was emotional for New Yorkers; the bow of USS New York was forged with 7.5 tons of steel recovered from the World Trade Center site.
The welcoming was truly first-class. New York City Police and Fire Department helicopters hovered above the ship while hoses from the fire department’s boats showered the air with red, white and blue streams of water. Families of the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, policemen and firemen stood along the Hud-son River next to Ground Zero to welcome the warship.
When USS New York reach-ed Ground Zero, the ship rend-ered a 21-gun salute. After sailing the length of Manhattan along the Hudson River to the George Washington Bridge, the ship turned around and moored alongside the decommissioned USS Intrepid (CV 11) at Pier 88.
I was able to attend this event because my cousin, Neil Keating Jr., piloted USS New York as it entered the harbor. Neil is a Sandy Hook Harbor Pilot, tasked with piloting large ships through the hazardous waters of New York’s harbor. Neil was given the honor of piloting USS New York because of the loss of his brother, my cousin, New York City firefighter Paul Keating, on Sept. 11.
Paul was a firefighter who worked in SoHo with Ladder 5 and lived only a few blocks away from the World Trade Center. Although off-duty on the morning of Sept. 11, Paul rushed to the closest firehouse and borrowed gear to help contain the fires caused by the planes.
Paul and 342 other New York City firefighters were killed that day trying to help those in need.
The day was a very special one for my family and all those who experienced a loss on Sept. 11. I’ll never forget the amount of respect given to the ship and its Sailors and Marines. The presence of USS New York alongside the site of our nation’s worst terrorist attack shows the resilience of the American people and the strength of those who defend us. I hope USS New York serves as a reminder to Americans of the sacrifices of those who have died in the service of others.
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