It’s been 24 years since 9/11 and we still remember the lives lost, the heroes who ran toward danger and the courage of people facing the unimaginable. For many of us, that day became a call to action, one where we could show the strength of our support through the work of our hands.
Three San Antonio-class amphibious assault ships were built to honor the cities and carry the memory of the nearly 3,000 victims killed that day. These ships now stand as a symbol of unity and strength.
USS New York (LPD 21)
Built at Avondale, USS New York features 7.5 tons of steel recovered from the World Trade Center, melted and forged into the bow stem. The ship also features a floating museum, serving to carry forward the memory of the 2,977 people who died in the towers. Today, LPD 21 is undergoing scheduled maintenance in Norfolk to ensure mission-readiness.
USS Arlington (LPD 24)
Constructed at Ingalls, USS Arlington incorporates steel from the Pentagon into a memorial room aboard the ship, honoring the 184 lives lost there. Currently, LPD 24 serves with the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and is homeported at Naval Station Norfolk.
USS Somerset (LPD 25)
Also built at Avondale, USS Somerset commemorates the 40 passengers and crew of Flight 93. Steel from the crash site is forged into the keel and a dedicated memorial room honors the victims. The ship recently participated in Quarterly Underway Amphibious Readiness Training 25.4 off the coast of Camp Pendleton, California, continuing its mission to protect and defend across the globe.
