Gene Lessieu will be moving permanently to his Florida home. We wish Gene well as he heads south and gives up his snow bird status.

Sal Foti has moved into Assisted Living and would appreciate a call. (contact Para webmaster if you need his telephone number)

Lee Goodman recommended a non engineering book to us:
Title: POETRY IN STEEL, The George Washington Bridge
Author:  Michael Aaron Rockland
Published by:  Rutgers University

Ed McCabe will try to get a guest speaker for our next luncheon.

As promised last month, here is a condensed update on the schedule for the new ship USS New York (Courtesy of Joe SanSevero via the PARA Web Site):

A Special Commissioning
USS NEW YORK has a special role in the war on terror.
Her bow, hardened by steel salvaged from the wreckage of the World Trade Center, embodies the strength and determination of the people of New York — not only to recover, but to take the fight to the enemy.

This formal ceremony will do more than honor the memory of those killed in the attacks. It will pay homage to those who survived, while building an enduring bond between the people of New York and the ship and her crew.

PLEASE NOTE: USS NEW YORK will be open for public visiting for several days during the ten day period when she will be in New York City, and those dates and times will be posted on the official commissioning website in October. However, because of extremely limited space, attendance at the commissioning ceremony will be by invitation only. Please return regularly to http://www.ussny.org for the latest information on visit dates and times.

Schedule of Activities *
Monday, November 2
Ship arrives to gala welcome in New York Harbor by fireboats and private vessels.
Commissioning Committee arrival event for ship's officers and senior enlisted.

Tuesday, November 3
Onboard reception for 9/11 families and First Responders.

Wednesday, November 4
Special events throughout the day to honor the ship and crew.
Ship opens for public visiting.

Thursday, November 5
NYC visit for crewmember families with events to include tours, sporting events, theater and a visit to the World Trade Center site, with reception to follow.
Open for public visiting.

Friday, November 6
Captain's reception for Commissioning Committee, Sponsors and Dais Guests.
Continuation of visits by crewmembers' families and special city events for the crew.

Saturday, November 7
Commissioning Ceremony: Attendance limited to ticket holders only.

Sunday, November 8
Onboard reception for 9/11 Families and First Responders.

Monday, November 9 through Wednesday, November 11: ship open for public visiting.
Thursday, November 12: USS NEW YORK departs New York harbor.

*(Schedule subject to change.)
Show your support for the cause of freedom and the men and women of USS NEW YORK who will be defending it.

The two links below tell about the Ship and when and where it will be commissioned.

http://www.ussnewyork.com/ussny_commissioning.html

http://www.ussny.org/commissioning.php

Also: To avoid conflict with Thanksgiving, our November luncheon will be held on the third Wednesday of November- November 18.