USS NEW YORK: In Tribute

On Friday, October 30, 2009, the Tribute WTC Visitor Center opened a new exhibit, USS NEW YORK: In Tribute.

In 2002, the U.S. Navy approached Governor Pataki to request steel from the World Trade Center for a new ship. Seven and a half tons of World Trade Center steel was melted into the bow stem of the USS NEW YORK, which will be commissioned in New York on Nov. 7, 2009. For any further information about the USS NEW YORK, please visit www.ussny.org.

USS NEW YORK: In Tribute explores the unique qualities and attributes associated with steel, a metal central to the formation of modern New York, and transformed in this ship into a symbol of the strength and humanity of our nation. In the Tribute Center tradition of “Person-to-Person History,” the exhibit invites visitors to “Meet the Builders,” “Meet the Crew,” and learn about naval traditions such as Mast Stepping. Decode the meaning of the USS NEW YORK crest and learn more about the fascinating technology behind this newly-launched, amphibious transport ship. Inter-actives, videos, audio stories and compelling artifacts allow visitors the feeling that they are at the launch.

The exhibit also explores the personal meaning of how the steel was delicately recycled, the personal dedication of the Northrop Grumman shipbuilders and the emotional ties for the USS NEW YORK crew.

“Meet the Crew” is a personal introduction to the crew who share their emotional ties to being plank owners of the USS NEW YORK: “I have members of my crew that joined the Navy as a direct result of 9/11. I have crew members that have lost family members on 9/11. Every day we are honoring the victims and heroes of that day. We know that the steel represents loss, but for us it also represents hope and we keep both of those things close to us.” – Captain Curt Jones, Commanding Officer, USS NEW YORK (LPD 21).

“Meet the Builders” explores the personal dedication to the USS NEW YORK of the Northrop Grumman employees: “I’m from New Orleans and I’ve probably worked on 100 ships or more… I wanted USS NEW YORK to be my last ship. It’s a metaphor for sacrifice, honor, and integrity.”– Tony Quaglino, Crane Superintendent, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding. At the shipyard, Camp Katrina became a haven for the dedicated shipbuilders who, despite their own personal devastation, were devoted to building the USS NEW YORK as a “testimonial to America’s resolve.”

The exhibition USS NEW YORK: In Tribute will be open at the Tribute WTC Visitor Center until Spring 2010. While the exhibition is open, visitors will periodically be invited to write notes to the USS NEW YORK crew.

About the Tribute WTC Visitor Center
The Tribute WTC Visitor Center is located at 120 Liberty Street along the south side of the World Trade Center site. The center was created by the September 11th Families’ Association to share the personal stories of victims, survivors, rescue and recovery workers, volunteers, and residents of Lower Manhattan. By engaging visitors in the authentic experiences of those most affected by the events of February 26, 1993 and September 11, 2001, the center’s five galleries and its walking tour program convey the courage, loss, heroism, and grief of those who responded to the tragedy.

The Tribute WTC Visitor Center is open seven days a week: Mondays, and Wednesdays through Saturdays, from 10AM to 6 PM; Tuesdays from noon until 6 PM; and Sundays from noon to 5 PM. Walking tours around the perimeter of Ground Zero are also conducted daily. For further information please visit our website, www.tributewtc.org. For school or group reservations of 10 or more people, please contact Tribute Visitor Services at (866) 737-1184.