Committee to Establish Foundation to Fund Scholarships for Crew Families NEW YORK, Aug. 7
NEW YORK, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The USS NEW YORK Commissioning Committee
today announced that John A. Thain, chairman and chief executive officer of
Merrill Lynch (NYSE: MER), has accepted the volunteer post as chairman of the
committee. The committee is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that
is responsible for organizing welcoming activities leading up to the formal
commissioning ceremonies of USS NEW YORK, a new U.S. Navy ship currently
completing construction in Louisiana. The commissioning is expected to take
place in New York City in the fall of 2009.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080807/NYTH043 )
USS NEW YORK (LPD21) has forged into its bow approximately 7.5 tons of
steel from the ruins of the World Trade Center. A ship commissioning is a
centuries-old tradition marking a naval vessel's official entry into the U.S.
Navy fleet.
In addition to organizing commission-related activities, the committee
will establish the USS NEW YORK Foundation, which will provide funds for
morale, readiness and emergency needs of the crew, as well as scholarships for
children of the ship's first and future crew members.
"It is an honor to be part of this important event," said John Thain. "The
significance of this ship's commissioning in New York is immense, particularly
given the impact on our community downtown as well as on all New Yorkers. When
the USS NEW YORK makes her entrance into New York Harbor, with that special
steel forged into her bow, she will be in a sense coming home as an important
symbol of both strength and remembrance. Our goal on the Commissioning
Committee is to make sure that when the ship and her crew depart after a
week-long welcome and the commissioning ceremony, that she will carry not just
that special steel but also the spirit of New York and New Yorkers with her."
"The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps are fortunate to have John Thain head up
the talented men and women of the all-volunteer USS NEW YORK Commissioning
Committee," said the Honorable Donald C. Winter, Secretary of the U.S. Navy.
"Those who will serve aboard the USS NEW YORK will play an important role in
ensuring the defense of our freedoms wherever threats may arise. This
commissioning is special, as it will honor the crew, as well as the people of
the State and City of New York."
Events are being planned to showcase New York hospitality and the city's
sights to the ship's crew and their families. USS NEW YORK will be open for
public visiting during the commissioning week.
The 25,000-ton NEW YORK is 684 feet (208.5 m) long, 105 feet (32 m) wide,
and is the fifth amphibious transport dock ship in the U.S. Navy's San Antonio
class. The newest addition to the Navy's 21st Century amphibious assault
force, the USS NEW YORK will have a crew of about 360 sailors and can
transport 700 combat-ready Marines. The ship will also carry Landing Craft Air
Cushion (LCAC) craft, the Osprey tilt rotor aircraft and Marine Expeditionary
vehicles.
USS NEW YORK was christened on March 1, 2008 at Northrop Grumman's
Avondale, LA shipyard, where it is being completed prior to undergoing sea
trials.
Further information on the ship and the planned events can be found on the
official web site of the USS NEW YORK Commissioning Committee at
www.USSNY.org. The web site offers exclusive and official commemorative items
for sale, proceeds of which will go to the USS NEW YORK Commissioning
Committee and the foundation.
Contact:
For the USS NEW YORK Commissioning Committee:
John R. Dillard
Edelman
212-704-8174
John.Dillard@edelman.com
Christopher Mittendorf
Edelman
212-704-8134
Christopher.Mittendorf@edelman.com
For Merrill Lynch:
Selena Morris
Merrill Lynch Media Relations
212-449-7283 office
selena_morris@ml.com
SOURCE USS NEW YORK Commissioning Committee; Merrill Lynch
