USS New York
Updated: Saturday, 07 Nov 2009, 11:14 AM EST
Published : Saturday, 07 Nov 2009, 7:17 AM EST
VERENA DOBNIK, Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK - The Navy is commissioning its newest battleship with a bow forged from steel that once held up the World Trade Center.
The USS New York is to be placed in active military service during a ceremony on a Manhattan pier Saturday morning. Naval officials say the steel from the trade center attacked on 9/11 symbolizes that the United States will always persevere.
The $1 billion warship was built near New Orleans by workers who themselves survived Hurricane Katrina.
Just before the commissioning, a memorial to 9/11 heroes will be unveiled by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, New York Gov. David Paterson and Bill White, who's president of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.
The memorial is also made of steel from the fallen trade center.