Advocates work to stop sale of Coast Guard ship that played role in 9/11 response

In eight days, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Adak will be sold to Indonesia. But Iraq War Veteran James Judge is leading the fight to stop the Coast Guard from selling this piece of American history to a foreign country.

"The Adak is a significant artifact of American history. I mean, it was on scene in 9/11. It's a symbol of American resilience," said Judge.

On 9/11, the Adak helped evacuate 500,000 people from Lower Manhattan. It was the largest water rescue in world history.

The Adak also transported first reponders and established a security zone to prevent further attacks. The ship continued to serve the U.S. in the Iraq War.

"It played a significant role. It was the tip of the spear, capturing some of the first enemy prisoners of war," says Judge.

Judge served more than a year aboard the cutter while it was deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom. He started a nonprofit in hopes of raising money to bring the vessel stateside and turn it into a museum.

"It's important for future generations to learn not only what happened on 9/11, what's happened since then, the lives that were lost, the lives that were saved," he said.

The pending sale of the Cutter Adak comes a few months before the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Advocates call it an insult to the memory of all those who died as a result of the terror attacks.

"For them to callously and recklessly sell this vessel that means so much to the 9/11 community ... it just lacks empathy. It lacks humanity," said John Feal.

Judge started a petition drive and is rallying congressional leaders in hopes of convincing the State Department to stop the sale.

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