Conroe native serves aboard Navy warship built to honor Sept. 11 victims

CONROE, TX -- 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 Elixandar Ceballos, a native of Conroe, Texas, 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. 

Ceballos graduated from homeschool in 2020.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Conroe.

“I grew up around a lot of people using drugs, and I saw early on that I wanted to stay away from bad influences, and I’ve carried that with me in the Navy,” Ceballos said.

Ceballos joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Ceballos serves as a culinary specialist.

“I grew up in a hard life, and I didn’t want to disappoint my mom by not doing anything positive, so I joined the Navy to make something of myself and be a better person,” Ceballos said. “My grandfather served in the Korean War in the Army and Air Force and retired. I want to do the same. I love this so far, and I don’t see myself getting out anytime soon.”

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 an honor to serve on this ship,” Ceballos said. “To see what it means to the people of New York when they find out I serve on this ship is emotional. People are so proud of this ship and its sailors, and I’m humbled to be part of it.”

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.

Ceballos has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“I’m most proud of graduating ‘A’ school and getting myself a career,” Ceballos said. “I am currently trying to get into the Flag Mess program, which is a specialized food service and hospitality operation dedicated to supporting high-ranking admirals and regional or strike group commanders. I want to take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way.”

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.

Ceballos is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I want to thank my mom, Alice, for setting me on the right path and making sure I stayed away from the bad things around me growing up,” Ceballos said. “I would not be here without her.”