Hillary Rodham Clinton,the 67th Secretary of State,was the keynote speaker on Saturday at the commissioning of the USS New York(LPD21)in New York City.She described the ceremony as being exciting and meaningful.We salute your service to our nation,she told the crew.There are many New Yorkers on board.Our thoughts and prayers will be with you.
The first New York fought on Lake Champlain in the Revolutionary War,Secretary Clinton recalled.Then the battleship New York won three battle stars in World War II,seeing action at Iwo Jima.Once again the USS New York is serving our country.She includes 7.5 tons of steel from Ground Zero,a rivet from the battleship New York and sand from Iwo Jima in her keel.None of us will ever forget the image of twisted girders and shattered beams at Ground Zero.Today the steel serves as memorials across America.The New York's motto is "Strength forged through sacrifice:never forget."
Sometimes we truly are stronger in the broken parts,Hillary Clinton reflected.The crew will join the fight against terrorism and violent extremism that threatens the freedom of peoples across the world.The strongest steel of New York has always been in the spines of its people.We wish you godspeed and we wish you blessings on this ship and on the nation it serves.God bless you all,Secretary Clinton concluded,wearing a black overcoat and white scarf,speaking in a strong and solemn tone.
The USS New York,an amphibious transport dock ship,will be homeported in Norfolk,Virginia.Northrop Grumman was the prime contractor.A native New Yorker,Commander Curt Jones,is her first commanding officer.
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