Avondale - A ship built in Avondale at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding with a piece of New York history melted into it will soon make its maiden voyage to New York. But before it leaves, all who helped in building the Navy's latest vessel were able to bring their families on board at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding in Avondale.
It's been an important day for all who had a hand in building the New York, which will soon be commissioned as the U.S.S New York.
Marine Electrician Montarvi Stern poured his all into this ship.
"Sweat, injuries you know crawling into tight spaces, coming out dirty you know," Stern said.
Shipbuilders including welders, pipe fitters, electricians, you name it, were proud to bring their families for a tour, and to show off their handiwork.
"They have done a great job. They have certainly delivered the best ship to date, in the class, and perhaps in the navy. This is a fantastic ship," said Commander F. Curtis Jones.
Patriotism soared because the New York, is part of history.
The bow stem of the ship which cuts through the water is made of 7 1/2 tons of steel from the World Trade Center's Twin Towers. Sailors from New York, who are part of this fleet are honored.
"The ship and what it stands for, it represents America's resiliency. It's a great thing to have to bring back, the steel back to New York. It's actually an honor to bring it back," said Mass Communications Specialist Corey Lewis of New York LPD 21.
"This is a symbol of motivation and inspiration for them and so it's great that the ship has been built the way it is, the way it's going and it's going to be commissioned in New York and that's the best thing," said Electrician Mate Fireman Avinash Gomes of New York LPD 21.
The best thing for some children of those involved in building the ship was show and tell.
For little Eden James, for weeks all he could talk about was getting to try out a big gun. Sailors let children try out the unloaded gun at the back of the ship.
"I'm proud to be here to bring my son because this is part of history and i really think they need to see this and they have something to be proud of their father for working all these years in the shipyard and seeing what he's been doing," said Eden James' father, Sterling James, Jr., a ship tool supplier.
This ship with two tall masts will soon arrive in New York.
"We have twin towers throughout the ship and the bow are very visibly up topside and is very recognizable," Commander Jones said.
It's a symbolic ship to remind all that terror attacks of 9/11 will never be forgotten.
Construction of the ship started in 2004 at Northrup Grumman Shipbuilding, and was briefly interrupted after the New Orleans area suffered its own attack from Mother Nature when Hurricane Katrina hit.
It leaves Avondale from the Mississippi River on October 13th enroute to New York for a commissioning ceremony next month. It will make a brief stop at its future base in Norfolk, Virginia on the way.
