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Friday, July 23, 2004

Making her first public appearance since her husband's death, Mrs. Reagan was flown to the ship off the San Diego coast Friday morning.

Meanwhile, thousands of spectators, mainly relatives of sailors aboard the ship, arrived early to witness the impending arrival, filling grandstands along the pier at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado. Others lined the mainland side of San Diego Bay to witness the arrival of the Navy's newest carrier.

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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 Atlanta to attend the ceremony and see her son, a sailor aboard the USS Reagan.

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 at that time, ahead of Mrs. Reagan's arrival on the ship.

"It's really such a pleasure to be here," Michael Reagan told a gathering of crew members.

Mrs. Reagan had 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 would 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.

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.

The USS Reagan towers 20 stories above the waterline and is nearly as long as the Empire State Building is tall. Its flight deck covers 4{ acres.

The ship sailed May 27 from Norfolk with a crew of 3,600, making its lengthy journey through the Straits of Magellan at the tip of South America. Reagan died June 5 at 93.

"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.

© 2004 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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