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USS Reagan Nears California Home Port
ABOARD THE USS RONALD REAGAN (AP) - The 1,092-foot nuclear aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan steamed toward its San Diego Bay homeport for the first time Friday, with the late president's son on board. Nancy Reagan was to make her first public appearance since her husband's death last month when she participates in Friday morning's home-porting celebration at Coronado in San Diego Bay. A helicopter was to take her out to the carrier shortly before it arrives. More than 10,000 people are expected dockside for the ship's arrival. The late president's son Michael Reagan was flown to the aircraft carrier Thursday morning as it steamed hundreds of miles offshore. Celebrities such as actor Tom Selleck and members of the news media also were brought aboard. "It's really such a pleasure to be here," Michael Reagan told a gathering of crew members. Nancy Reagan christened the partially completed ship in 2001, breaking a bottle of American sparkling wine against its bow. She was on hand in Norfolk, Va., again last year when it was commissioned, telling the crew to "bring her to life." Capt. Andres "Drew" Brugal, the executive officer, said hosting Mrs. Reagan aboard the ship will be a thrill. "Obviously it's kind of a sad time right now, so close to the president's death. She's the sponsor of the ship and we're very happy to see her. Her only request was she wanted to see the sailors and see the Ronald Reagan Room," he said. The room is a museum featuring wardrobe from Reagan's movies, posters and a video presentation. "It was probably most fitting and most appropriate that at the time of his passing, a carrier strike group named in his honor was in fact conducting the very same kind of operations that he espoused through his presidency - peace through strength," said Rear Adm. Robert Moeller, who commands the carrier strike group named for Reagan. As a nod to Reagan's Hollywood days, the ship has a celebrity walk of fame with such names as Alfred Hitchcock and Spencer Tracy on the mess deck.
Posted by: Steve 2004-07-23 |
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