On Saturday, Nov. 7, at New York City’s Pier 86, Ashford University sponsored and took part in the official commissioning of the USS New York, an event that served as a lasting tribute to the citizens who lost their lives in the World Trade Center terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.  

The USS New York is a new Navy assault ship that was built with seven and a half tons of steel pulled from the wreckage of the World Trade Center. Fittingly, the crest of the ship features a phoenix rising from the twin towers with the words “Never Forget” underneath. 

“Many of Ashford University’s students are active-duty military, so we are always looking for opportunities to support our troops,” said Kenneth Haight, Associate Vice President, Military and Corporate Development. “We are especially proud to be participating in the commissioning of the USS New York because of what the ship represents.” 

Ordinarily, the US Navy only uses state names to christen submarines. Due to the unique circumstances surrounding the construction of this ship, however, former New York Governor George Pataki requested and received special dispensation to name the ship after the state and city where the World Trade Center once stood. 

The USS New York arrived in its namesake city on Monday, November 2. Its arrival was heralded by a 21-gun salute. On shore, an emotional crowd of firefighters and individuals who had lost loved ones in the 9/11 attacks watched the ship pull into dock. The ship stayed in New York through Veterans Day before it sailed off to its home base in Norfolk, Virginia. 

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