Hailing aboard the USS New York

St Augustine Navy League Vice President for Public Affairs, Kim Kendall, informed local Historic City News reporters that on July 30th, fourteen members of the St Augustine / Palm Coast Council of the Navy League of the United States were hailed aboard the USS NEW YORK (LPD-21) at Naval Station Mayport.

The visit was part of the Navy League’s ongoing mission to expose as its members to Navy activities here in Northeast Florida. For most participants, it was their first time onboard a ship of this type.

“The SAN ANTONIO class represents a generational leap forward for the Navy in terms of amphibious capability,” said CAPT (Ret) Ian Pollitt, a former Surface Warfare Officer and current member of the SAPC Navy League. “To get the chance to go aboard, meet with some of her crew, and see how these revolutionary new technologies are being fielded at sea was a real treat.”

USS NEW YORK carries 7.5 tons of World Trade Center steel in her bows.

“This is a great way to carry forward the memory of all those who lost their lives on that day,” noted the ship’s Commanding Officer, CAPT Chris Brunett.

USS NEW YORK recently shifted her homeport to Mayport, and is completing a maintenance period this summer in preparation for her second overseas deployment, later this year.

For more information on the St. Augustine / Palm Coast Council of the Navy League of the United States contact President Mike Zollar by email MIKZOL8671@att.net or call 904-460-1251. Also visit www.staugustinenavyleague.org

Photo Credits: © 2014 Historic City News Contributed Photograph by Garry Cohn

Mission Statement: The St. Augustine / Palm Coast Council of the Navy League of the United States is a civilian organization whose mission is to: Support the objectives of the National navy League of the United States and selected active duty Maritime Military units within our reach in the St. Augustine area and to support local High School JROTC programs.