Will 9/11 Tribute Ship Be Commissioned in Pennsylvania?
U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey is asking that the commissioning ceremony for the USS Somerset be held in Philadelphia.
Toomey, R-Pa., wrote to Navy Secretary Ray Mabus. In his letter Toomey said that he has received information that the Navy cleared Philadelphia as a potential site.
“As you know, the ship’s name honors the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93 whose actions prevented terrorist hijackers from reaching their intended target, forcing the aircraft to crash in Somerset County, Pa., on September 11, 2001,” Toomey wrote in the letter, which was released by his staff Monday. “In the words of (former) Secretary of the Navy Gordon England, ‘The courage and heroism of the people aboard the flight will never be forgotten and USS Somerset will leave a legacy that will never be forgotten by those wishing to do harm to this country.’ It seems only fitting that the vessel’s commissioning ceremony be held at the closest port to Somerset County.”
The vessel, an amphibious transport dock ship, is scheduled to be commissioned in the summer or fall.
