Bataan hoists World Trade Center Ground Zero flag - Around the Fleet - USS Bataan - Brief Article

All Hands, Feb, 2002

One week after observing a moment of silence to reflect and remember the three-month anniversary of Sept. 11 with one flag raising ceremony, USS Bataan (LHD 5) held another one. But this time, the ceremony honored the first flag flown at "Ground Zero" amid what was once the World Trade Center.

The "WTC flag" was raised in the middle of the rubble by New York City firefighters, and has since been flown by the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and other U.S. Navy ships deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

"I was very honored to have been able to fly that flag on Bataan," said the ship's commanding officer, Capt. Martin R. Allard. "This was done as a tribute to all those heroes who died attempting to save others. I'm ready, and my ship and Sailors are ready, to stay at sea until the job is done."

The first flag flown at "Ground Zero" has drawn comparisons with the one Marines raised at Iwo Jima during World War II.

New York Governor George Pataki and New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani originally presented the flag to ADM Robert J. Natter, commander in chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Both the governor and mayor felt that the flag should be sent out to USS Theodore Roosevelt in honor of the ship's namesake, who was himself, from Manhattan.

The WTC flag will go from Bataan to the ships that make up its amphibious ready group, USS Shreveport (LPD 12) and USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41), before being passed to the other ships in the Roosevelt Battle Group.

Bataan held its flag-raising ceremony for the WTC flag, just one week after observing a moment of silence and raising a different flag, a 12-by-18 foot American flag, which was sent to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operation Capable)(MEU[SOC]) by the New York City Police Emergency Squad. The Marines of the 26th MEU(SOC) are embarked in the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group.

The flag from the NYPD Emergency Squad, in conjunction with the Marine public affairs office in Manhattan, was flown aboard USS Bataan on Dec. 11. That particular flag had hundreds of tributes and inspirational messages written in honor of the fallen NYC police officers who perished Sept. 11. It was the flag that draped World Financial Center II, near the World Trade Center for two weeks after the attack. It was draped beneath a giant banner that read "United We Stand."

Bataan's ceremony included the passing of the WTC flag from Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Michael Tsikouris to Sergeant Major William McKnight of the 26th MEU, to a line of Sailors and Marines who passed it from one to another until it finally reached Yeoman 2nd Class (SW) Esther Marte. She is a native of New York, and was home on leave in New York City on Sept. 11. Her hands were the last ones to receive the WTC flag in that long procession of Sailors and Marines.

Once firmly in her grip, Marte took the flag and delivered it to Bataan's commanding officer on the ship's signal bridge. The captain then presented it to two members of Bataan's Color Guard, Disbursing Clerk 2nd Class Thomas Jack and Information Systems Technician 3rd Class John Gray, who raised it while the sounds of the National Anthem filled the air. A few moments after the last note of the Star Spangled Banner played, Taps was played in remembrance of all who died Sept. 11.

According to Marte, being the person who was chosen to take the flag to the ship's commanding officer was an unforgettable experience. "It was such an honor," said the three-year Navy veteran. "I felt so proud."

Marte, who recently was meritoriously advanced a paygrade to second class petty officer, said that even though she wasn't born in the United States, she's considered New York City to be her home since moving there from the Dominican Republic in 1991, at 14, with her family. "I received my citizenship and education there. I owe New York City most of what I have earned in my life. So, being chosen for this honor meant a lot to me."

Marte continued, "I know that there are a lot of other Sailors and Marines aboard Bataan from New York City, so it was a very special event for me. When I was carrying that flag, I felt that I was carrying it for everyone in New York City."