MEMORIAL DAY: SHOW YOUR PRIDE

VA Press Release

WASHINGTON (May 22, 2007) - To show their pride in military service and teach younger generations about the value of serving our nation, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson urged veterans across the country to pin on their military medals on Memorial Day, May 28."Wearing their medals demonstrates the deep pride our veterans have in their military service," said Nicholson. "It also reminds all Americancitizens -- especially the young -- about the sacrifices our veterans have made for their freedom."He encouraged veterans to display their medals no matter what they are doing on Memorial Day, but especially when attending public events. Nicholson said he believes the movement will become a tradition. Nicholson first urged veterans to wear their military decorations last Veterans Day under a program called "Veterans Pride Initiative." About 24 million living Americans have served in the armed forces, with nearly 18 million wearing the uniforms of the U.S. military during times of war and conflict. Nicholson said he hopes veterans will wear their medals on Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Veterans Day, and when attending other patriotic events. Major U.S. veterans organizations have endorsed the VeteransPride Initiative.

USS NEW YORK

The USS New York is scheduled to launch sometime this year.

Customarily, state names presently are reserved for submarines but New York asked for special consideration so the name could be given to a surface ship in honor of the heroes who died on September 11, as well as to honor the courage and compassion shown by countless New Yorkers in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks.

It is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft. USS New York was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center. Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite, LA to cast the ship's bow section. When it was poured into the molds on Sept. 9, 2003, "those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence," recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. "It was a spiritual moment for everybody there."

Two of retired Navy LT Alan Petrush's adult children were in Manhattan on September 11, 2001. "New York City was bombed" said LT Petrush. "We do not seek revenge, but we must ensure that it never happens again."

Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the "hair on my neck stood up." "It had a big meaning to it for all of us," he said. "They knocked us down. They can't keep us down. We're going to be back." The ship's motto? "Never Forget"

Christening Ceremony: The ship's sponsor is Mrs. Dotty England, the wife of Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England. She will "christen thee New York" in a ceremony in 2007.

Commissioning Ceremony; Commissioning is the ceremony in which New York will become a unit of the operating forces of the United States Navy. It is the occasion when the ship will "Come Alive" and New York becomes USS New York. USS New York's commissioning ceremony will occur in 2008 in New York City.

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