Navy names ship after Pentagon 9-11 victims, first responders
A Navy ship named in honor of the victims and first responders of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon recently joined the fleet, serving as a floating tribute to the people who died that day. The active warship can transport Marines around the world.
The Navy commissioned the USS Arlington in front of about 5,000 people in its new home port of Naval Station Norfolk. The amphibious transport dock is one of three ships named after 9/11 crash sites.
Approximately 200 pounds of steel salvaged from the Pentagon's wreckage was forged into a pentagon to be put on a permanent display aboard the ship in a memorial room and smaller pieces of the Pentagon sit on the commanding officer's desk. The ship also has 184 gold stars throughout its passageways in honor of those who died when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2011.
The Arlington is now the Navy's 283rd warship. It is capable of carrying a landing force of up to 800 Marines, as well as amphibious assault vehicles and aircraft.
The other amphibious transport docks named after 9/11 attack sites are the USS New York and the USS Somerset. The USS New York was built with steel from the World Trade Center and recently completed its first deployment. The USS Somerset is named for the Pennsylvania county where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed.
Local Company Donates Bus for Mass Casualty Drill
In support of local Fire, Rescue and Emergency Medical Services crews, Gershow Recycling, Medford, NY, donated the use of a passenger bus to be used by the Hagerman Fire Department and the South Country Ambulance Corps for a mass casualty drill performed at the fire department’s training facility in East Patchogue, NY.
During the exercise, firefighters and first responders rescued “victims” from a “crash” involving a passenger bus. The victims — portrayed by students from Bellport High School and members of the Hagerman Fire Department Junior Squad, the South Country Ambulance Corps Junior Squad and the Mastic Ambulance Corps Junior Squad — were treated for their “injuries” and transported to Brookhaven Hospital.
This Month in Fire History
June 5, 1973, Chicago, IL – LaSalle Hotel fire kills 61
June 6, 1982, Falls Township, PA – K-Mart warehouse fire loss worth $190 million
June 12, 1911, Whitewright, TX – Conflagration damages 70 buildings
June 13, 1980, Covington, VA – Hercules, Inc. plant fire loss worth $23 million
June 14, 1974, Carteret, IL – Carteret Shopping Center fire loss worth $37 million
June 17, 1972, Boston, MA – Hotel Vendome fire kills 9 firefighters
June 23, 1913 – First NFPA Committee on Safety to Life is appointed
June 24, 1973, New Orleans, LA – Upstairs Lounge fire kills 32
Courtesy NFPA
For details on fires that occurred 100 years ago this month, turn to Paul Hashagen’s “Rekindles” on page XX.
