 My name is Captain Pete Kennedy and I am the CEO of USS New York. USS New York is named for the state of New York and commemorates New York City's fight against the World Trade Center attacks in September 11, 2001. At 8.46 a.m. the first hijacked plane crashed on the North Tower beginning of a horrific chain of events that led to the loss of 2,823 innocent lives and effected millions more worldwide. Shortly thereafter, then Governor of New York, Governor George E. Pataki, wrote to the Secretary of the Navy requesting special permission to bestow the name of New York on a service ship and honor the victims of those attacks. Where I am standing just as one of many memorials on board New York to the victims, survivors, families and heroes of 9-11. Engraved above me is a steel that shows the number of New York Police Department, Fire Department and poor authority officers that perish in those attacks. Additionally, the ship's bow was built with 7.5 tons of steel recovered from the World Trade Center and provides a focal point for the ship's crests. Every day our sailors and Marines observe a moment of silence to remember an individual at 9-11 victim. In this moment we learn of their life, their hobbies, their ambitions and their family. These daily reminders are essential to the hard working spirit that embodies the New York crew. Above me reads the ship's slogan, strength forged through sacrifice, never forget. Our ship and our mission ensure that the patriotic spirit that galvanizes citizens of New York and united our nation lives through us. Good afternoon. I'm Captain Chris Choudahill, commanding officer of USS Arlington LPD-24. USS Arlington is named after the attack on the Pentagon and the county in which it happened. At 9-37 on September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 77, which was a hijacked Boeing 757 aircraft traveling 530 miles per hour, crashed into the west wall of the Pentagon. The impact decimated solid concrete walls and fires engulfed multiple floors. 184 innocent victims perished, 33 of which were fellow sailors. Each victim's name is present on a piece of cloth on the memorial quilt behind me. Their names inscribed as a reminder of the destruction and violence of 9-11, but most importantly, they give tribute to the lives of the victims. What's also important are the names not on this quilt. Indeed, there could not have been as many survivors without the selfless acts of firefighters, first responders, and civilians that brave the wreckage and toxic fumes to aid their fellow comrades. The job of firefighters, first responders, and law enforcement requires valiant selfless acts. They have our utmost respect and appreciation. President George W. Bush said, we'll always honor the heroes of 9-11, and here at this hallowed place, we pledge that we will never forget their sacrifice. This still rings true. We must never forget the sacrifices or tragedy of that day. And in concert with my fellow warrior brothers and sisters on the USS Somerset in USS New York, the sailors and marines of USS Arlington will never forget. I'm Captain Dave Kirk, commanding officer of USS Somerset. I'm standing in Somerset's main vehicle storage area. And on the bulkhead behind me, you can see a framed quilt commemorating the 40 passengers and crew members of United Flight 93 who gave their lives on September 11, 2001. We have 9-11 memorials spread throughout the ship honoring all who perished in the attacks that day. And in fact, USS Somerset, her crew, and her embarked marines are a kind of living, breathing memorial to the heroes of Flight 93 whose names are emblazoned on our Ring of Honor. On Somerset, we use the term hero deliberately when referring to the passengers and crew of Flight 93. When the situation demanded action, they responded. When the nation needed sacrifice, they rose up, knowing full well the likely consequences. Choosing to act so that others may live is heroic. As we sail into harm's way, the memorial's on board, and particularly the names inscribed, inspire us to respond the way the heroes of Flight 93 did. To put our fellow citizens first, and in the words of Somerset's motto, to act with courage through adversity. On this, the 19th anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001, we as Americans honor all the victims of that day. On Somerset, we as a crew celebrate the 40 heroes of United Flight 93 whose actions we can only hope to honor through our own. From all of us here on USS Somerset, let's roll.