World Trade Centre scrap metal lives again

[skwinty]

USS New York
She was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center.

She is the fifth in a new class of warship -- designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. She will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.

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."

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"

[Kokatha man]

Hi skwinty - now I know you gave up being a JW years ago; is this article you've posted a hint that you've joined the "bash 'em for god" brigade?

Seriously though, as appalled and smitten as any right (but not as in "far") thinking person should have been by that event, along with many others throughout the world that sadly are often far worse, aimless and prevalent; doesn't it ring just a little bizarre to create warships out of the remains of such terrible carnage and tragedy?

Nothing much there about "turning swords into ploughshares" from a nation that exhibits such a pre-occupation with "religion" - purportedly of the Christian ethos; but I suppose symbolism and political posturing for (somewhat superficial) predominantly home consumption are the main criteria therein.

A real pity that something truly courageous and constructive couldn't have been seen as more fitting: mindsets that knee-jerk these types of responses are a part of the whole darn problem, aren't they?

Warships hunting down terrorists; it has a faintly ludicrous ring to it for me: my two-bob's worth and not a penny more from me.

[snowyskiesau]

While the story in the original post is apparently true, the picture is of the USS San Antonio, not the USS New York which has not yet been commissioned.

[Ric]

I think it would have been nicer to put the 24 tonnes into something to promote peace and harmony.

Maybe put the steel into the first international mission to Mars.

[dugnsuz]

24 tonnes of steel framed housing for the homeless!?

[skwinty]

Nope, I'm a lover not a fighter.
I just posted because it is as you say ironic that the material went into a warship.

[Jen]

:thumbsup:
hey ric that sounds like a good plan to me hehe ;)

[citivolus]

Homeless?!? What homeless?


>Hey, Look over here!<

[cahullian]

Nothing wrong with wanting to hand out a good dose of SMACKUPTHESIDEOFHEAD I say good onem. Just imagine how many ships and the like Iraq would be able to make if they have the same mentality.

Gazz

[skwinty]

Dont think 24 tonnes of steel is a viable payload to any space destination.
Nice thought though.
;)

[skwinty]

Hey Gazz
Maybe Darryl's post should have been directed to you
"a hint that you've joined the "bash 'em for god" brigade?

Seriously though, as appalled and smitten as any right (but not as in "far") thinking person should have been by that event, along with many others throughout the world that sadly are often far worse, aimless and prevalent; doesn't it ring just a little bizarre to create warships out of the remains of such terrible carnage and tragedy?

Nothing much there about "turning swords into ploughshares" from a nation that exhibits such a pre-occupation with "religion" - purportedly of the Christian ethos; but I suppose symbolism and political posturing for (somewhat superficial) predominantly home consumption are the main criteria therein."
;)

[dugnsuz]

This is what they look like FYI, as there probably aren't too many around the Redlands Bay area:P

[citivolus]

LOL, I used to work in the South of Market area of San Francisco, I've seen my share of homeless. Most nights at around 11:00pm I would have to walk through a couple homeless camps to get back to my car. No Sadams, but close!

[dugnsuz]

Many Saddams and Osamas in the Edinburgh Grassmarket area when I lived there!

Perhaps a greater hypothetical irony would be using the steel as the material for surgical prostheses for limbless Iraqi collateral damage!:(