Ship Builders Honor a Memory by Equipping our Military
USS New York
The crew of a Navy ship is focused on the mission once they put to sea. In the middle of their
busy lives underway, they probably don’t consider the hard and meticulous work that went into the
construction of the vessel that is now both home and office.
In early March, USS New York (LPD 21) was christened by Gordon England, the Deputy Secretary
of Defense, at the Avondale Shipyard in Louisiana. The New York has a special connection to current
military operations, obviously. The vessel’s name honors the state, the city and the victims of
Sept. 11. New York was made from some of the steel remains of the September 11th Twin Towers; in
fact, over seven tons of steel from the rubble of the attacks were melted down and cast to form the
ship's bow stem. In keeping with this unique use of WTC remains, New York’s official motto is
"Never Forget” – a motto that is prominently displayed on the hull.
"This is a special day for a magnificent ship that has a special place in the heart of every
American," England said during the christening ceremony. "On the day the towers fell, all Americans
were New Yorkers."
At the christening event, Mike Petters, the President of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, the
general construction manager for the project, spoke to the pride that many former military veterans
find while serving on a project like this one. "Every single shipbuilder has a story, like the
police officers, the fire fighters, the Sailors and the Marines. They are part of something much
bigger than themselves."
Petters spoke of one ship superintendent, John L Steel who sailed on the USS Juno (LPD 10) as
a young Marine heading to Vietnam during the 1970s. During his voyage over 40 years ago, Steel
thought about the fact that though he was sailing into harms way, the strength and sturdiness of
that ship helped him to feel safe during a very uncertain time. "I want to make sure that [the New
York] can go safely into harm’s way,” he said, “that it’s a quality ship that can support troops
just as I was supported so long ago."
Tony Quaglino, a crane superintendent, spoke of his own sense of the importance of the
project: "I have been in the ship business 42 years and I have probably worked on 100 ships or
more. I could have retired, but I wanted the New York to be my last ship."
Miguel Balderas, a zone foreman - electronic technician, explained during the opening
presentation that "you can't measure the value of this ship to our country. I spent time with my
crew sharing what I felt in my heart: We are literally building history."
The New York is diesel-powered, 25,000 ton, amphibious transport ship. The ship is 684 feet
long, 105 feet wide, and is armed with missile launchers and two 30-millimeter guns. It will hold a
crew of 360 sailors and three Marines, and is also designed to transport a landing force of up to
800 Marines. The ship can launch four Sea Knight transport helicopters and two Osprey aircraft.
Much of the work that goes into building a ship like the New York is preformed by construction industry professionals with Helmets to Hardhats careers, such as insulators, boilermakers, electricians, pipe fitters, and ironworkers, just to name a few.
All these skilled crafts are learned through journeyman and apprentice training programs provided by their respective unions.
If you are interested in starting a career in union construction, visit the Helmets to Hardhats website, helmetstohardhats.org, where you can learn more about employment opportunities available through trade unions such as the:
- International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC)
- International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers, and Helpers (Boilermakers)
- United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers, and Allied Workers (Roofers)
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
- International Union of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers (Asbestos Workers)
- International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE)
- Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA)
- Sheet Metal Workers' International Association (SMWIA)
- Operative Plasterers' and Cement Masons' International Association of the United States and Canada (OP & CMI)
- United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada (United Association or UA)
- International Union of Elevator Constructors (Elevators)
- International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT)
- International Brotherhood of Teamsters (Teamsters)
- United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBCJA)
Many exciting careers are available in the field of construction. Register today with Helmets to Hardhats and we’ll help you find a job that provides family-supporting wages, good benefits and a chance to capture the American dream.
