Nov 11, 2009 7:31 pm US/Eastern
USS New York Shines Brightly On Veteran's Day
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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People wave an American flag as the USS New York enters New York harbor November 2, 2009 on its way past the former World Trade Center site.
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World War II veterans Margie Zwick, Women's Army Corps, and Arnold Strauch, U.S. Army, look on before the annual Veterans Day parade November 11, 2009 in New York City.
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US marines march along fifth avenue as part of the Veterans Day parade in New York, November 11, 2009.
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New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) and New York Governor David Patterson look on before the annual Veterans Day parade November 11, 2009 in New York City. The nation's largest Veterans Day parade featuring 20,000 participants in New York is celebrating i
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US soldiers march along fifth avenue as part of the Veterans Day parade in New York, November 11, 2009.
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Members of the US Air Force march along Fifth Avenue as part of the Veterans Day parade in New York, November 11, 2009.
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Members of the elite Navajo Code Talkers, the famed U.S. Marine unit who delivered unbreakable codes during World War II battles against the Japanese, salute before the start of the annual Veterans Day parade November 11, 2009 in New York City.
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Members of the U.S. Army JROTC program carry an American flag during the annual Veterans Day parade November 11, 2009 in New York City.
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It was a special Veteran's Day aboard a ship with a very special connection to our city: the U.S.S. New York, which was built in part from the twisted steel of the World Trade Center ships for active duty on Wednesday.
They could have stayed at home and enjoyed a day off. Nobody forced them to stand in long lines and brave the raw wind blowing off the Hudson. But they did, and they did it to see her, the U.S.S. New York.
"The ship represents New York's spirit," said Della Geyer of West Nyack.
And, of course, they came to thank them.
"Somebody on the bus just stopped me coming over. He was very appreciative of the work we did," said Carlyle Joseph, a veteran from Brooklyn.
Gerry Gross, a veteran from Plainview brought his grandchild to the ship and even let him wear the very hat he wore when he was serving in the Navy.
"I wanted to bring my grandson down and show him what it was all about. It feels great. It really does, to see this many people here," he said.
When she leaves her mooring to enter active duty, the U.S.S. New York not only takes the city's name, she takes a part of the city's heart.
Just ask the kids. They know.
"The front of it is made out of metal from the World Trade Center," said Molly Kleinehandler, along with her friends Colleen Geyer and Brigette Geyer of West Nyack.
For Molly, talk of war isn't just a history lesson. Her dad is serving in Afghanistan right now, one of the many who answered the call.
"I joined the military because I know my country needed me," said Army Staff Sgt. Germano Riviera.
"I didn't have to do it," said Army Specialist Joseph Ellison. "I could've stayed home, been a family man. But I knew I had a chance to serve my country and I took the opportunity to do that."
The ship, on this day, has special meaning on many different levels. Most appropriate, perhaps, is the U.S.S. New York's motto: Never Forget.
Riviera, a vet and a 9/11 attack survivor, wants to make sure of that.
"This flag contains 2,996 names of the people that perished at the World Trade center," he said.
That's why Della Geyer brought the young girls here today.
"To make sure they understand the sacrifices the American soldiers are making and how important their freedom is, and how you have to fight for it," she said.
Which is exactly what the USS New York was built to do.
Because of the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida, the U.S.S. New York will spend a few days at the navel weapons station in Earle, N.J. until the weather clears. Then she'll head to North Caroline where she'll be used to transport and land Marines and their equipment.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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