A little over a month ago, defense contractor Northrop Grumman delivered the USS New York to the Navy in New Orleans. Now, before the ship sets off to be formally christened in New York City on November 7th, civilians were given a chance to tour it.

In case you’ve forgotten, the USS New York is the amphibious transport dock ship that is capable of carrying 800 Marines. Perhaps more importantly, it has steel recovered from Ground Zero in its bow, and the ship’s motto is “Strength Forged through Sacrifice: Never Forget.”

As for the recent meet and greet, the Village Voice reported, “Northrup Grumman employees were allowed to bring family and friends aboard the New York, which has been under construction since 2004 at Northrup’s New Orleans-area Avondale shipyard.”

Some members of the media were admitted to the gathering, too, ensuring that even more people would be able to learn about the ship second-hand.

New Orleans officials are also planning a sort of sendoff party of sorts for when the USS New York leaves, so the ship and its September 11th-related history may receive still more attention in the near future.