Navy ship built with WTC steel to go into service

The USS New York is seen during its commissioning on November 7, 2009 at Piers 86 and 88 in New York City. The ship was built with 7.5 tons of steel from the World Trade Center in its bow. It is a San Antonio class amphibious transport dock ship. (Michael Loccisano, Getty Images)

NEW YORK (AP) — The Navy is commissioning its newest battleship with a bow forged from steel that once held up the World Trade Center.

The USS New York is to be placed in active military service during a ceremony on a Manhattan pier Saturday morning. Naval officials say the steel from the trade center attacked on 9/11 symbolizes that the United States will always persevere.

The $1 billion warship was built near New Orleans by workers who themselves survived Hurricane Katrina.

Just before the commissioning, a memorial to 9/11 heroes will be unveiled by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, New York Gov. David Paterson and Bill White, who's president of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.

The memorial is also made of steel from the fallen trade center.

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