Bataan (LHD 5) - Naval Cruise Book

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The ceremony honored the first flag flown at Ground Zero amid what was once the World Trade Center. The WTC, as it is also referred to, 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. 1 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 clone 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. New York Governor George Pataki and New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani originally presented the flag to the 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 and the fact that he was from Manhattan. During a ceremony on the ship ' s flight deck, both Marines and Sailors passed the flag until it reached the hands of New York resident YN2(SW AW) Ester Marte. Once firmly in her grip, she marched with the flag from the flight deck to the 06 level where she delivered it to BATAAN ' s Commanding Officer Capt. Martin Allard . The Skipper, in-turn, presented it to two members of BATAAN ' s Color Guard, DK2 Thomas Jack and IS3 John Gray, who raised it while 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 Petty Officer Marte, being the person who was chosen to deliver 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. I felt as though I was representing every person in New York City. It was an honor that I will never forget. ♦▼H ' « .-it 265

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