The Navy League of the Proudly The Commissioning of Supports USS SOMERSET LPD 25

The ninth San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, is the fifth ship of the of that name; in this case, for Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Like her sister ships, USS and Arlington, she is named in commemoration of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

The name honors the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93 whose actions prevented terrorist highjackers from reaching their intended target, forcing the airplane to crash near Shanksville, Somerset County, PA.

Over the weeks following the Flight 93 crash, recovery personnel retrieved more than 95 percent of the airplane’s wreckage from the crash site. An American flag was hoisted on the top of a power shovel or “dragline” on a hill dominating the area. The dragline had been used in coal stripping at one time, and the equipment with the flag became a symbol of the effort.

In the summer of 2008, the dragline’s 22 ton steel bucket was melted down and cast into LPD 25’s bow stem, embodying the strength and determination of the people of the United States: to recover, to rally, to take the fight to the enemy.

The Class The versatile San Antonio-class ships incorporate both a flight deck to accommodate CH-46 helicopters and MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, and a well deck that can launch and recover landing craft and amphibious vehicles. The San Antonio class’ increased vehicle space and substantial cargo carrying capacity make it a key element of twenty-first century Amphibious Ready Groups, Expeditionary Strike Groups, and Joint Task Forces.

The ships are 684 feet long with a beam of 105 feet. Dis- placing nearly 25,000 tons, they draw 23 feet of water at full load. Four diesel engines produce 41,600 shaft horsepower propelling the ship in excess of 22 knots (25 mph). In addition to performing their primary mission, Somerset’s sister ships have supported anti-piracy opera- tions and provided humanitarian assistance and foreign disaster relief operations in Haiti after the earthquake. The Ship and the Commissioning Ceremony Somerset’s keel was laid down on 11 December 2009, at Northrop ’s in , Loui- siana. She was launched on 14 April 2012, with her christening on 28 July 2012. Mrs. Mary Jo Myers, wife of General Richard Myers, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the ship’s sponsor.

The formal shipboard commissioning will be held on 1 March, 2014 at Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia, the port just a few hours east on I-76 from Somerset County. The commissioning will not only honor the memory of those who perished on Flight 93, but it will also forge an enduring alliance between the people of Som- erset County and the ship and her crew. The Commissioning Committee for the USS Somerset asks for your participation and support for the time-honored ceremony and associated events. Many dedicated volunteers are working to ensure that Somerset’s commissioning events are a success. Be a part of it.

The Navy League Supports USS SOMERSET Commissioning The Navy League of the United States, Philadelphia Council, invites your participation and support of the USS SOMERSET commissioning. If you have never seen a warship “brought to life” during her commissioning ceremony, you will not want to miss this historic event. The naval commission- ing ceremony has been a tradition of navies since 1775. It is the most significant event in the life of the ship. The commissioning is the final event in the triad which brings a ship to life and marks the entrance of a man-of-war into the naval forces of her nation.

The Philadelphia Council of the Navy League of the United States has established the USS SOMERSET Commissioning Committee to raise funds and support the commissioning events at Penns Landing and Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia Council of the Navy League of the United States is tax-exempt under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to the Navy League are tax deductible. The Philadelphia Council’s Information is filed with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Chari- table Organizations and may be obtained by calling 800-732-0999. A registration with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Charitable Organizations does not imply endorsement.

www.navyleaguephilly.org Phone: 610-687-7699 www.usssomersetcommissioning.org Email: [email protected]

USS Somerset (LPD 25) Commissioning Contribution

Yes, I want to support the crew members of the USS SOMERSET by contributing to the commissioning ceremony and activities.

Crew ($100-$499) If you wish to donate by credit card, fill out the information below and sign or go to our website Wardroom ($500-$999) Commander ($1,000-$4,999) www.usssomersetcommissioning.org Company Name: ______Captain ($5,000-$9,999) Name: ______Rear Admiral ($10,000-$24,999) Card Type: ______Vice Admiral ($25,000-$49,999) Card Number: ______Admiral ($50,000-$99,999) Mailing Address:______Fleet Admiral ($100,000 +) City/State/Zip: ______Signature:______*Check our website for premiums awarded for various levels of Exp. Date: ______/ ______Security Code: ______sponsorship Please tear off and mail to E-Mail: ______Donation Amount: $ ______Navy League of the United States - Philadelphia Council USS Somerset Commissioning Fund Organization Affiliation:______PO Box 56198 Enclosed is my check for $ ______Philadelphia, PA 19130

Make check payable to: NLUS PHILA (USS Somerset) THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!