USS New York Sailor Guest Blogger for New York Post
navy.mil, 10/16/2009Lt. Lesley Lykins, Navy Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- A Sailor aboard Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) New York (LPD 21) has attracted New York City with her Oct. 13 premier as a guest blogger on the New York Post website leading up to the ship's commissioning in New York Nov. 7.
Operations Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Cecilia Fosu, a native of Newark, N.J., stationed aboard PCU New York, introduced herself to New York and shared a brief description of her job, interests and feelings of serving aboard a ship that carries steel from the World Trade Centers.
"Never in a million years did I think that I would be serving on a U.S. Navy vessel that was built in the remembrance of the event that took place on 9/11," said Fosu in her Oct. 13 blog entry.
Fosu was a freshman in biology class Sept. 11, 2001. She immediately realized the country would never be the same and is surprised to find herself serving in the Navy today.
She is currently pursuing a degree in nursing, in addition to her duties as an operations specialist, and she enjoys writing.
"As a native to the New York-New Jersey area, the Post immediately interested me," said Fosu.
New York has quickly adopted the namesake ship and with less than a month until the New York City commissioning, media has become very interested in the crew and commissioning events planned for the port visit.
"The commissioning committee has been getting calls from people throughout the city who would like to participate in the events. They want to visit the ship and meet the Sailors," said retired Rear Adm. Robert Ravitz, chairman, USS New York Commissioning Committee. "The citizens of New York take enormous pride in the name of the ship and its link to 9/11. I haven't seen this much excitement surrounding an event since the re-opening of the Statue of Liberty."
The New York Post contacted the Navy with a request for a guest blogger from PCU New York, and Cmdr. Curt Jones, commanding officer of PCU New York, quickly agreed to support.
"(Fosu) has a special bond with the community and the ship that will be evident to blog readers," Jones said. "I see great things in her future and wanted to give her an opportunity to tell her story."
"I want to give readers a look at what life in the Navy is like," Fosu said. "I'd also like to show Americans how much we appreciate their support."
Fosu's blog will run through the commissioning scheduled Nov. 7 and can be found at
http://www.nypost.com/p/blogging_aboard_the_uss_new_york_hTxzcnp8m4vRJJNQlPTdcP
Many Navy commands are now engaging in social media. A list of these official Navy social media sites can be found at
http://www.navy.mil/media/smd.asp
For more news, from PCU New York, visit
www.navy.mil/local/lpd21/