Thank you to all our Veterans, past and present.  This post is about my visit to the USS New York.  As I walked from Broadway,

with my USS Ticonderoga hat on

people that were in the service with hats like mine, but with different ships, looked at my hat first, as I also did to them, then our eyes met and a nod or smile was exchanged.  This happened all along the way to the ship.  The crowd was very friendly and we all talked as we waited to get in.  Not a bad wait, about 15 minutes.  The Sailors were very friendly, guarding the route and answering questions form us.  I had to take a picture of the bow, made from the World Trade Towers steel.

This is one big ship.  Does not look like that from the TV or newspaper photos.  The line moved quickly

Up the gangway

next meeting the crew, four of our Best

then on to the business end of the ship

this drives the air boat that carries tanks and equipment ashore with the Marines.  OW RAH!

on to the flight deck with the Osprey aircraft.

more on the fantail

A view of the USS Growler SSG 577 at the Intrepid Air Sea Space Museum. 

 My cap and the story of the USS New York Crest

The seven rays of sunlight signify both the crown atop the Statue of Liberty and the seven seas.

Central focus is placed on the Twin Towers and the bow of the ship, forged from the towers steel.

Breastplate of the phonix bears the colors of the first responders from the NYPD and NYFD and Port Authorty of NY & NJ.

Blood drops represent the fallen.

Three stars for those won by previous USS New York, the battleship (BB34) in WW2 at Iwo Jima, Okinawa and North Africa.

LPD stands for "Landing Platform Dock"

three new friends I made while on line

Going home, waiting for the ferry, I felt like a tourist

Cheapest ferry ride in the world, and I must say one of the best

 and almost home, getting off the train at Eltingville, Staten Island

God Bless America!   see below

P.S.  If you want to support this ship, visit it's web site.  http://ussny.navyleagueshipsstore.com/index_store.php