Navy ship built with WTC steel to go into service

[November 07, 2009]  NEW YORK (AP) -- The Navy is commissioning its newest battleship with a bow forged from steel that once held up the World Trade Center.

The USS New York is to be placed in active military service during a ceremony on a Manhattan pier Saturday morning. Naval officials say the steel from the trade center attacked on 9/11 symbolizes that the United States will always persevere.

The $1 billion warship was built near New Orleans by workers who themselves survived Hurricane Katrina.

Just before the commissioning, a memorial to 9/11 heroes will be unveiled by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, New York Gov. David Paterson and Bill White, who's president of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.

The memorial is also made of steel from the fallen trade center.

[Associated Press; By VERENA DOBNIK]

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