Newton native serves aboard Navy ship built as 9/11 memorial

Newton native serves aboard Navy ship built as 9/11 memorial

Dominik Utley serves on USS Arlington, one of three warships honoring the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks

In the days following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States, the nation vowed to never forget. Now, 25 years later, three U.S. Navy warships serve as memorials to the victims of those attacks and as a promise to prevent it from happening again.

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Dominik Utley, a native of Newton, Illinois, is assigned to USS Arlington.

A ship built to remember

Along with USS New York and USS Somerset, Arlington 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 warfighters to the fight.

Named for Arlington, Virginia, the location of the Pentagon and the crash site of American Airlines Flight 77, the ship features a dedicated 9/11 Tribute Room honoring the 184 victims and first responders of the attack at the Pentagon.

“It means a lot to me to serve aboard this ship and to be able to carry on the fighting spirit of the brave men and women from that tragedy,” Utley said.

From Newton to the Navy

Utley graduated from Newton Community High School. He joined the Navy three years ago and now serves as an interior communications electrician.

“I worked all the time when I lived at home, which taught me time management,” Utley said.

He said the skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Newton.

“I joined the Navy because I heard I could see the world,” Utley said. “I joined to experience different cultures.”

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