BY KECIA BAL
The Tribune-Democrat
SHANKSVILLE
June 07, 2008 01:51 am
—
For nearly seven years, the large crane about a half-mile from the Flight 93 crash site has been part of the experience for visitors.
An American flag hung from the dragline once used in coal stripping – now dismantled and on its way to Newport News, Va.
But officials are hoping the memories it holds can continue as part of the USS Somerset, a Navy ship to be constructed in honor of the Flight 93 heroes.
The crane, which was at the site before the terrorist attacks, also can symbolize Somerset County’s roots, county Commissioner John Vatavuk said.
“This will be part of our heritage, which is going into the ship that hopefully will last 40 or 50 years,” Vatavuk said.
On Monday, a crew was on site, loading up about 22 tons of steel to be taken to a smelting plant in Newport News. The steel then will be sent to Mississippi for construction.
In 2004, Navy Secretary Gordon England announced the names for the eighth and ninth ships of the San Antonio-class of amphibious transport dock ships. The USS Somerset is to be built by 2012, officials said.
“USS Arlington and USS Somerset will help America project power to the far reaches of the earth and will support the cause of freedom as we engage in the current war on terrorism,” England said in a statement.
A spokesman for Northrop Grumman, which is building the vessels, said military officials have been working with the company to incorporate something from each Sept. 11 site into the 684-foot ships. For the USS New York, 21 tons of steel from the former World Trade Center were used in its construction.
That’s what inspired Vatavuk and Flight 93 Ambassador Dave Zwick to propose the idea of using scrap from the dragline.
“It was going to be part of the (Flight 93 National Memorial),” but that was too costly, Vatavuk said.
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