By RANDY GRIFFITH
AVONDALE, La. — Whether its deployment of Marines and equipment is used to fight terrorism or provide humanitarian aid, the USS Somerset honors the heroes of Flight 93 and the people of Somerset County.
“I’m thrilled about the mission of the ship,” Somerset County Commissioner John Vatavuk said Friday at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding’s Louisiana facility.
“It’s not only wartime, but there is also a peacetime mission,” Vatavuk said. “They can use it to deliver medical supplies anytime there is a disaster around the world. They can deliver food, doctors, anything that they would need, which is a testament to the folks who died in Flight 93.”
Vatavuk joined other speakers at Friday’s keel authentication ceremony in describing the USS Somerset as a living memorial to the passengers who fought back against terrorists who had seized control of the airliner on Sept. 11, 2001.
The Landing Platform Dock ship’s primary job is to get battle-ready Marine units to areas of conflict or known terrorist groups’ activities quickly.
“She is a very special ship because of the heroes of
Flight 93 and the people of Somerset County, Navy Rear Adm. William E. Landay III said during Friday’s ceremony.
“Through her name, the Somerset will ensure that we never forget those heroes of 9/11,” Landay continued.
“Through her unprecedented power and might, she will ensure that our enemies know firsthand the indomitable spirit of American people. She is a very special ship because of the heroes of Flight 93 and the people of Somerset County.”
Landay and Gordon Felt, president of the Families of Flight 93, recognized the important role of the people of Somerset County in memorial efforts.
“From first responders to ordinary citizens, they opened their hearts and their homes and showed us the mettle that lies at the heart of this truly remarkable community,” Landay said.
Felt said he has stopped referring to families of Flight 93 in the plural. The group has become one family.
“In our work, in our efforts, loss and passions, we have morphed into one entity, made stronger through our collective labors,” Felt said.
Volunteers from Flight 93 Memorial Ambassadors and other Somerset County residents have become part of that family, he added.
The USS Somerset being built at these shipyards outside New Orleans is the third in a group of San Antonio Class ships to be dedicated to the victims and events of Sept. 11, 2001. It joins the USS New York, which memorializes World Trade Center victims, and USS Arlington, dedicated to those lost in the Pentagon.
All were built by Northrop Grumman’s Gulf Coast operations.
“It’s a great day to be a shipbuilder,” company Vice President Irwin F. Edenzon said Friday.
“This ship demonstrates the steadfast commitment of our nation to protecting our freedom. It symbolizes the courage of those aboard Flight 93, who refused to yield to those who threatened it.”
A plaque in the shape of Somerset County was inscribed by ship sponsor Mary Jo Myers, wife of retired Gen. Richard Myers, who served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff beginning in October 2001.
“His whole tenure was defined by the acts of 9/11, which we will never forget,” Mary Jo Myers said.
Myers’ hand-signed initials were permanently inscribed into the plaque by Northrop Grumman welder Lanford Bridges. It will be affixed to the ship.
Construction continues on the ship, being built from the ground up with pre-built units welded together like building blocks.
Christening and launch is planned for 2011.
