The passageways aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) are ornamented with memorabilia from the ship's namesake.

Metro Subway signs, Empire State Building posters and wall stickers from various organizations headquartered in the Big Apple are dispersed from bulkhead to bulkhead, serving to honor the brave men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty on 9/11.

Because of its connection to the historic event, each USS New York 9/11 anniversary ceremony is developed to showcase immense appreciation, admiration and adulation for those lost that day.

On the 16th anniversary of that fateful day, the USS New York (LPD 21), along with the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and the guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56), are sailing through the choppy waters of the Atlantic Ocean with the mission of saving lives, alleviating suffering and mitigating damage to homes, communities and livelihoods after the catastrophic Hurricane Irma's destructive landfall in Key West, Florida, and the surrounding areas.

"As we sail toward Key West we are joined onboard by our shipmates from various commands, and we have the opportunity to share with them the importance of remembering 9/11," said New York's Command Master Chief Sandra Dyal, of Palatka, Florida. "The ship's bell tolled at 8:46 a.m., to commemorate terrorist crash Flight 11, with the final toll at 10:03 a.m., marking terrorist crash Flight 93. This caused hearts to sink aboard New York as we remembered. We are thankful to be here to listen to the bell toll. We remember."

New York's Executive Officer Capt. Brent Devore said that he sees this year's observance as an emboldening reminder for the crew to energize their spirit of service while aboard such a remarkable vessel.

"Because of the mission we currently have, aiding our fellow Americans, we are out to sea on this anniversary. This affords us the opportunity to have a close-knit observance at sea amongst our crew and teammates," said Devore. "It's just us, taking a moment to reaffirm who we are as 'New York' and committing ourselves to the heroes we represent, while actively serving the country we are charged to protect."

Quartermaster 2nd Class Natasha Roswell said being a New York City native makes her especially proud to be a member of the New York crew.

"We will never forget," said Roswell. "If you're from the city, 9/11 plays such a major role in your everyday life. On the ship everyone is not from the city and was not affected in the same ways as we were, it wasn't their home, but they still show so much respect and love for the city and those of us who have experienced loss. For that, I will always appreciate this ship and crew. Not only on 9/11, but every day."

During the observance, New York's Command Officer Capt. Todd Vandegrift said that day after day, his crew will remember and will continue to bear the sacrifice of 9/11.

"New York is a special ship; a different ship," said Vandegrift. "We have the honor of being those who remember, those who shall never forget. We are those who realize our strength is in the sacrifice of heroes and in the resolve of patriots. We will honor those brave men and women who sacrificed themselves that day 16 years ago, but our colors will not fly at half mast - but hauled up; ready to sail."

Lt. Dirk Caldwell, of Crawfordsville, Indiana, and New York's chaplain, said that the ship acknowledges the heroes of 9/11 through Navy customs.

"It has been a United States Navy tradition that at TAPS every night, an evening prayer be delivered over the 1MC for the entire crew to hear," said Caldwell. "Every night on the New York, during, that prayer, a single, individual person who perished during the attacks of 9/11 is mentioned and remembered."

Caldwell said that this ritual helps the crew remember the names, faces and stories of those lost that day, stories worthy of being shared.

"Every time we step across the brow to enter the ship we are challenged to 'Never Forget' and so every night we have the opportunity to give thanks for those individuals and remember them in our own sacred ways," Caldwell said.

Chief Master-at-Arms Bernard Hippolite, of Brooklyn, New York, witnessed the attack of the second tower on 9/11, and said he pays homage to those who perished that fateful day through his naval service.

"It means a lot for me to serve aboard this ship, the ship that reminds me of the tragic event that took place when I was a junior in high school," said Hippolite. "It still hurts, but I really appreciate what our command and our nation has done to remember those who have fallen. To know that they care, that's what helps."

The New York's motto reads, "Strength forged through sacrifice. Never forget." Today, on the anniversary of 9/11, on the way to aid the American public in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, the crew of USS New York has not forgotten, and they never will.

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