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PCU New York Crew Hosts Mayor Bloomberg
Story Number: NNS091102-02
Release Date: 11/2/2009 5:52:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Rachael L. Leslie, Pre-Commissioning Unit New York Public Affairs
PCU NEW YORK, At Sea (NNS) -- New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg enjoyed some of the World Series game with the crew aboard the future USS New York (LPD 21) Nov. 1.
The crew of Assault Craft Unit 4 (ACU 4) picked the mayor up from New York City and brought him, some of his personal staff and his girlfriend, Diana Taylor, out to the ship aboard a landing craft air cushion.
"It's a privilege to have him here," said Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Angel Candelaria, from Navy Operational Support Center Bronx. "Mayor Bloomberg is one of the best mayors New York has seen in a very long time. His visit here on the New York is a very positive one, and it means a lot to all of us."
Bloomberg took questions from many of the local and national media on board, then mingled with the Sailors and embarked Marines from Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force 26 on their last night at sea before pulling in to the city.
"The mayor's visit shows us how massive this commissioning is going to be, and how important the ship is to New York City," said Information Systems Technician (SW/AW) Hakim Bristow, a member of the ship's crew and a native New Yorker. "Everyone was so excited he came out. These are events I'll look back at in 40 years, and I can't even describe how that feels, especially when I think about cruising down the Hudson tomorrow."
While on board, the mayor spoke of the 9/11 terrorists attacks and the effect they had on Americans. He said he thought the events of that tragic day brought people together.
His visit to this historic ship is just the beginning of a 10-day celebration welcoming the New York and its crew to its namesake state. Events throughout the following days will include two receptions for 9/11 first responders and their families, a trip to ground zero for the ship's crew and the ship's commissioning ceremony Nov. 7.
The ship is scheduled to leave New York Nov. 12 to return to its homeport in Norfolk, Va.
To engage with the crew, sign up as a fan on their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Avondale-LA/USS-NEW-YORK-LPD-21/113468238587?ref=ts.
For more news from Pre-Commissioning Unit New York (LPD 21), visit www.navy.mil/local/LPD21/.
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