USS Reagan, Navy's Newest Carrier, to Get Presidential Welcome

[BaysideLiberal]

CORONADO, Calif. (AP) - The Navy's newest aircraft carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan, will get a presidential-style welcome when it arrives at its new homeport Friday morning.

About 10,000 people are expected to pack the grandstands along the pier. On Friday night, the skies over the ship will explode with red, white and blue fireworks and President Reagan's voice, uttering some of his most memorable lines, will echo from loudspeakers across San Diego Bay.

Nancy Reagan is expected to make her first public appearance since her husband's death last month. A helicopter will take her out to the carrier shortly before it arrives.

The president's son Michael is also scheduled to attend the pierside ceremony, along with actor Tom Selleck and a half-dozen congressmen.

The USS Ronald Reagan - the first carrier to be named for a living president - set sail from Norfolk, Va., with 3,000 crew members on May 27, making the long journey around the tip of South America.

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBRORC5ZWD.html

[mark11727]

1. President Reagan's voice, uttering some of his most memorable lines,..

..."the bombing begins in ten minutes."

[54anickel]

11. Thanks for the chuckle!!! I had forgotten that , and it was one of

my favorites.

[frylock]

2. big fuggin whoop..

I'm damn sick and tired of hearing about this. It's gonna be non-stop USS Raygun on the local news all day. :eyes:

[primavera]

3. They should trade the traditional bottle of champagne

...broken against the hull for an IV pack of blood, it would be more appropriate.

[kwolf68]

4. I can't wait

Till when we name a "Cancer Research" facility, an AIDs cure, a renewable fuel technology, an education intititive for poor children after a President.

Then I will know we have really evolved.

[CO Liberal]

5. The Only Ship That Will Keep Forgetting Where It's Going....

[fertilizeonarbusto]

10. Oh, that's a riot!

:evilgrin:

[realFedUp]

6. In place for "Summer Pulse 2004"

what a name....

http://www.latimes.com/la-fg-wargames20jul20,1,1640452.story

China, U.S. Each Hold Major War Exercises
Some analysts say the timing of the maneuvers is linked to rising tensions over Taiwan.

By John M. Glionna
Times Staff Writer

July 20, 2004

BEIJING — China and the United States are conducting separate military exercises this week in displays of might amid tensions between the mainland and Taiwan over the island's sovereignty, military analysts say.

In a highly unusual move, the Chinese have publicized amphibious military operations being held on mainland-controlled islands in the Taiwan Strait. The war games, which simulate an invasion of Taiwan, involve 18,000 Chinese troops in weeklong land, sea and air maneuvers, according to the state-run media.

snip

The U.S. exercise, dubbed Summer Pulse 2004, involves seven aircraft-carrier strike groups, 50 warships, 600 aircraft and 150,000 troops around the globe. It has been described as one of the biggest military exercises ever staged.

The aircraft carriers George Washington, John C. Stennis, John F. Kennedy, Enterprise, Harry S. Truman and Ronald Reagan will also participate in the exercise, according to a Pentagon news release.

[54anickel]

12. Lord let's hope they all remember - IT'S JUST A SIMULATION!

[realFedUp]

14. Just a stimulation....

for the navy brass. The same guy who oversaw
the matters of the sub sinking the Japanese fishing boat is
overseeing this one. Uh oh.

[prolesunited]

7. How DARE they use that man's death

for political gain!!!

You think we'll here Dems 24-7 ranting about it like we did about Wellstone's funeral? :eyes:

[bobbyboucher]

8. AGAIN? How many times are they going to milk this tub?

Hell, they christened the damn thing two years beofre it was finished.

[Az_lefty]

9. they'll be dragging reagans memory through the streets until Nov

[saracat]

13. But we have Ron Reagan Jr.Speaking at the Dem Convention!

[DS1]

15. They should paint gum lines around the bilge pumps

Yeah, I'll go there.

Fuck Reagan

[Demonaut]

16. USS bush, first hot air airship after peak oil

[Fitzovich]

18. USS Bush

or as I like to call it The "USS Pandering To the Boss", named by the current Secretary of the Navy after his Bosses Daddy.

[shanti]

17. ewwww

my nephew is on this ship...