USS Somerset arrives in San Diego
The USS Somerset is named in honor of the crew and passengers of United Airlines Flight 93 that crashed in Somerset County, PA during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. For families of the Somerset crew members, this arrival has been a long time coming. With signs in hand, cheers and open arms waiting, family members of the USS Somerset crew anxiously await the ship’s homecoming.
“I see daddy … I know,” said Tiffany Cobb to her two infant sons.
For Tiffany, it means having her two sons getting quality time with their father.
“My son keeps asking for his dad, and it’s hard to tell him cause he doesn’t understand that he’s working. So we’re very excited, we can’t wait.”
As the USS Somerset pulled into it’s new homeporthome portl Base San Diego, the crew of nearly 400 was met with a ceremonial first kiss – and perhaps a new tradition – a first burrito. Plus, of course, plenty of tears.
“I just blanked out, I was so happy to see them,” said John Cobb, holding his sons. “They’re everything, I don’t even know what to say, they’re awesome.”
“I’ve been doing it on my own for so long and then he finally gets to experience how awesome (the boys) are now,” said Tiffany. “It’s very exciting.”
The amphibious transport dock is the third of the three U.S. ships named in honor of the victims and first responders of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The USS Somerset – proudly marked with the words “let’s roll” – represents the heroic actions of the 40 crew and passengers of United Flight 93. The sacrifice and bravery they showed is not lost on the ship’s commanding officer.
“Had it not been for their brave action, the terrorists would certainly have reached their intended target and countless more lives would’ve been lost,” stated USS Somerset Captain Thomas Dearborn.
USS Somerset was formally commissioned during a ceremony in Philadelphia on March 1st. The 684-foot vessel and crew then began a journey from the Atlantic Ocean, through the Panama Canal, to San Diego.
“What we will do is go through a series of testing and trial to make sure that the ship is prepared for what our mission is and also that the crew is prepared to answer our nation’s call.”
But in the meantime, families like John Cobb’s are already making plans to enjoy their time together. The other two sister ships named in honor of those lost in the 9/11 terrorist attacks are the USS New York and the USS Arlington. All three ships have steel from the sites of the plane crashes, either built into the ship or displayed on board.
