Nancy Reagan Says Ship's Homcoming Is 'Bittersweet'
USS Reagan Docked In San Diego At 10 A.M. For First Time
POSTED: 6:45 am PDT July 23, 2004
UPDATED: 1:24 pm PDT July 23, 2004
CORONADO, Calif. -- With President Ronald Reagan's doctrine "peace through strength" as its motto, the USS Ronald Reagan and its crew were feted Friday in a ceremony welcoming the Navy's newest nuclear aircraft carrier to its homeport in San Diego Bay.
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Presidential Welcome Set For USS Reagan
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USS Ronald Reagan
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In her first appearance since the funeral of her husband, former first lady Nancy Reagan expressed her gratitude on behalf of the nation's 40th president.
"Although the last six weeks have been difficult, and today is very bittersweet, I'm so honored to be here as the USS Ronald Reagan comes into home port," Mrs. Reagan said.
"Ronnie would have loved the sight of this great ship coming into his beloved California. ... In my heart, I know he is looking down on us today and smiling."
Thousands of spectators, mainly relatives of sailors aboard the ship, offered Mrs. Reagan a standing ovation from the grandstands along the pier at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado.
Overcast skies gave way to bright sunshine as military and government dignitaries fondly remembered the former president.
The ship "will always be a symbol of valor and U.S. freedom," said Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, who was an assistant secretary of state under Reagan. "I'm absolutely certain this is one government project that Ronald Reagan would be thrilled to have his name on."
Vice Adm. Michael Malone, commander of the Naval Air Forces, said the ship's crew would have a challenging road ahead of them as they prepared to take its place in the fleet. The carrier, he noted, can deliver "precise, consistent striking power anywhere, anytime."
"It's a great honor for the U.S. Navy to bear the torch of freedom that one of our greatest leaders carried his whole life," Malone said. "The USS Ronald Reagan is his living legacy and will be for 50 years."
The dimensions of CVN-76 inspire awe: The USS Ronald Reagan towers 20 stories above the waterline, it's nearly as long as the Empire State Building is tall and its flight deck covers 4.5 acres.
The USS Reagan sailed May 27 from Norfolk, Va., with a crew of 3,600, making its lengthy journey through the Straits of Magellan at the tip of South America. The five-ship strike group got word June 5 that Reagan had died at 93.
The flag that flew aboard the ship on June 5 was presented to Mrs. Reagan during the June 11 burial at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
As the ship sailed into the bay, spectators lined the mainland to see the carrier arrive escorted by a flotilla of pleasure boats and fire boats shooting 50-foot streams of water. Sailors in their white uniforms lined the edges of the carrier as it reached the dock to the cheers of the crowd.
Nancy Reagan arrived by helicopter as the ship approached the San Diego coast Friday morning.
Wolfowitz greeted her on deck before Mrs. Reagan, wearing a white pant suit, passed along rows of sailors, shaking their hands and exchanging greetings with them.
The late president's son Michael Reagan, actor Tom Selleck, reporters and the country music group SHeDAISY, which performed the national anthem during Friday's ceremony, were flown out a day earlier as the carrier steamed hundreds of miles offshore.
The evening's finale will feature fireworks synchronized to a soundtrack that includes clips of President Reagan uttering his most memorable lines.
Capt. Andres "Drew" Brugal, the executive officer, said he was thrilled to be hosting Mrs. Reagan aboard the ship.
"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.
Mrs. Reagan on Friday visited the ship's Ronald Reagan Room, a museum featuring the former president's cavalry uniform, movie posters, a video presentation and a chunk of the Berlin wall. Other Hollywood touches include a celebrity walk of fame with such names as Alfred Hitchcock and Spencer Tracy on the mess deck.
Ahead of the ship's arrival, a carnival atmosphere prevailed along the pier where family members eagerly waited. SeaWorld workers dressed as whales and a Navy band playing rock music shared space with vendors hawking souvenirs, soft drinks and commercial services.
A Wisconsin cheesemaker showed off a replica of the ship carved out of a huge block of cheddar cheese. Sarah Baumann says she spent four days carving the 550-pound cheese ship, which will be cut up and served in food kitchens.
"There's so much cheese, so little time," Baumann said as she set her carving tools down and took a break.
Behind the grandstand, images from Reagan's life flashed on a huge screen.
"I think its a special ship and its named for a special person," said Gail Everett, 46, who drove from her home in Atlanta to attend the ceremony and see her son, a 20-year-old Reagan sailor.
Cathy Watt, 41, waiting with her two children said her husband, the Reagan's supply officer, had asked to be assigned to the ship.
"Not only because it was the newest and greatest, but because of the namesake," she said. "He was very touched by [Reagan's] legacy."
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.
During its voyage to San Diego, the Reagan conducted training and air engagement exercises with Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and Peru.
According to the San Diego Chamber of Commerce's Economic Research Bureau, the carrier will contribute $430.2 million annually to the local economy.
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