NORFOLK, Va. – In the days following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, the nation vowed to never forget. Now, 25 years later, memorials to the victims of those attacks stand as reminders of what happened and as a promise to prevent it from happening again.
Seaman Olushola Kalejaiye, from Offa, a historic city and the second-largest city in Kwara State, Nigeria, serves in the U.S. Navy assigned to USS New York. Along with USS Arlington and USS Somerset, New York is one of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships built to commemorate the attacks, remember those who lost their lives, and defend the nation by taking the warfighters to the fight.
Kalejaiye graduated from Federal Government College Ilorin in 1999 and earned a bachelor’s degree in computer applications from Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in 2013.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Offa.
“I was 41 when I joined the Navy, and I’ve learned a lot of life lessons,” Kalejaiye said. “My dad always told me it was always easier to do a job right and show up every day to do my best.”
Kalejaiye joined the Navy two years ago. Today, Kalejaiye serves as a logistics specialist.
“I joined the Navy because I’ve always wanted to be in the military,” Kalejaiye said. “I’ve always thought it was the honorable thing to do. Two years later, it was the best decision for me, and I have no regrets.”
An amphibious transport dock, New York’s bow is forged from seven and a half tons of steel salvaged from the World Trade Center to commemorate the tragic events of 9/11, when more than 2,700 people lost their lives in New York City.
“It is a wonderful opportunity to serve on this ship,” Kalejaiye said. “There is a lot of pride that goes with serving on USS New York, and every time I see all the names on Broadway it’s very emotional and humbling.”
The sailors and Marines serving aboard New York are reminded of those lost in the attacks every day. In addition to the World Trade Center Steel in the bow, there is the Memorial Passageway where a steel plate recovered from the World Trade Center rubble is displayed, and the names of 9/11 victims are inscribed on a memorial in a passageway. The ship’s interior is also adorned with murals, posters, patches, and a firefighter’s helmet that honors first responders.
Kalejaiye has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“My proudest accomplishment is finishing near the top of my class,” Kalejaiye said. “When I joined, I was kept in the ICU because my blood pressure was too high. They talked about sending me home, but I powered through, and when they sent me to my division, I graduated in the top 3% of my class. I feel like I came from the rock bottom to the top.”
This year, the Navy is commemorating its contribution to the nation’s defense as the United States celebrates 250 years of independence. According to Navy officials, for more than 250 years, the Navy has sailed the globe defending freedom and protecting prosperity.
Amphibious ships like New York combine 21st-century amphibious shipbuilding and warfighting technologies to support current and future Marine Corps aircraft and landing craft, and are capable of taking nearly 1,200 sailors and Marines into harm’s way.
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber-optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Kalejaiye is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my wife, Ajibola, for encouraging me to join the Navy and for being an amazing mom to our son,” Kalejaiye said. “I went straight from boot camp to logistics specialist school and then to deployment, so I only saw her and our 2-year-old son for two weeks during that time, but she held it together at home and is now the ombudsman for this ship. I couldn’t do any of this without her.”
* John Osborne, Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist, Navy Office of Community Outreach, wrote this piece originally navyoutreach