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Fresno/Central Valley Chapter Attends Abe Lincoln Welcome Home Rally at Lemoore: ** Photos **
Fresno/Central Valley Chapter ^ | May 1, 2003 | Jim Robinson

Posted on 05/01/2003 7:50:50 PM PDT by Jim Robinson

Edited on 05/01/2003 7:51:29 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]

Mission Accomplished!

President Bush gives a 'thumbs-up' sign after declaring the end of major combat in Iraq as he speaks aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln off the California coast, Thursday, May 1, 2003. The carrier will arrive in San Diego Friday following a record 10-month deployment including 'Operation Iraq Freedom.' (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

"America is grateful for a job well done!"

Welcome Home!!

Rilly Dooris, left, and his mother, Joanna, cheer as his father's F/A-18 Hornet flies overhead Thursday, May 1, 2003, at Lemoore Naval Air Station near Lemoore, Calif. Dooris' squadron was one of three units which landed after leaving the USS Abraham Lincoln. (AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian)




The Fresno/Central Valley Chapter to join Rally at Lemoore, Welcoming Home the USS Abraham Lincoln!!

Instead of our regular Friday Night Support our Troops Rally in Fresno this week, the Fresno/Central Valley Chapter will join the rally at Bob Williams Chevrolet in Lemoore from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 4, to offer our thanks and a welcome home to the sailors and aircrews of the USS Abraham Lincoln!

We're hoping that citizens from every city in the valley and beyond will join us. Bring your family and friends, flags, banners and signs and help us offer thanks and support to these courageous young men and women who have spent the last 10 months and more fighting for our freedom and security!

May God bless and protect all of our men and women in uniform!!

Thank you all very much!

Jim Robinson
On behalf of the Fresno/Central Valley Chapter


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Announcements; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: fresno; may4rallies; pictures; rally; supportourtroops; ussabrahamlincoln; welcomehome
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1 posted on 05/01/2003 7:50:50 PM PDT by Jim Robinson
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To: Jim Robinson
Hi Jim! Do you have the address of the Auto dealer?
2 posted on 05/01/2003 7:52:57 PM PDT by ladyinred
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To: ladyinred
No, but I'll see if I can find it.

Here's the article from the Fresno Bee:

Lemoore eager for ship's return Family, community plan celebrations for crew of USS Lincoln.

By Kerri Ginis
The Fresno Bee
(Published Friday, April 25, 2003, 4:45 AM)

After waiting nearly 10 months for the return of their loved ones, Valley families will reunite next week with Lemoore-based pilots and sailors aboard the Navy aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.

Navy officials said the Lincoln will dock May 2 at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego. Nearly 700 pilots and sailors from the Lemoore Naval Air Station are part of the Lincoln's 5,500-member crew.

Many local families are planning trips to Southern California to greet their loved ones. Others will attend one of two homecomings at Lemoore NAS.

About 36 pilots will fly to the base May 1 in F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet strike-fighter jets. The following day, hundreds of enlisted personnel will arrive after the ship docks in San Diego, Lemoore base spokesman Dennis McGrath said.

"I'm so excited, I just can't wait," said Loretta Penfield, whose husband, Jeff, is the commanding officer of VFA-115, the Navy's first squadron of Super Hornet strike-fighter jets to be deployed overseas. The other two Hornet squadrons aboard the Lincoln are VFA-25 and VFA-113.

The Lincoln left its home port in Everett, Wash., in July for what was supposed to be a routine six-month deployment.

The carrier was on its way home to the United States in January when the Navy ordered it back to the Persian Gulf as part of a military buildup for the war in Iraq.

The crew of the Lincoln launched some of the first airstrikes during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Pilots flew more than 1,500 missions during 17 days of combat and dropped 1.3 million pounds of ordnance on Iraqi targets, according to the ship's public information officer.

After about nine months at sea, the crew of the Lincoln received word this month that they were heading home. The cruise marked the longest deployment for a Navy aircraft carrier since the Vietnam War, Navy officials said.

For the past couple of weeks, many Navy wives in Lemoore have been busy making plans for the homecomings. They've hung "welcome home" signs throughout the base and tied yellow ribbons to trees.

"It's really starting to look very festive out there," Penfield said.

Many businesses in Lemoore donated money to help purchase food, drinks and decorations.

People in the community are baking cakes and cookies and others are buying pizzas and sandwiches.

"Businesses are just so excited," Penfield said. "I keep getting calls asking what they can do to help."

The wives also are preparing goodie bags to place on the beds of single sailors who live in the barracks on base. Many don't have family in the area and the wives want to make sure they too have something special to come home to.

The welcome-home celebrations won't end with the base homecomings. A troops rally and family fun day is planned from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 4 at Bob Williams Chevrolet in Lemoore.

The reporter can be reached at kginis@fresnobee.com or 622-2417.

http://www.fresnobee.com/local/sv/story/6613003p-7552057c.html

3 posted on 05/01/2003 7:56:06 PM PDT by Jim Robinson (FReepers are the GReatest!!)
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To: ladyinred; JustAmy; mtngrl@vrwc; gracie1; Mama_Bear; jkphoto; notpoliticallycorewrecked; ...
Hope to see you all at:

Bob Williams Chevrolet-GEO
1356 W Iona Ave.
Lemoore, CA 93245

Sunday May 4th, 11:00am to 2:00pm

4 posted on 05/01/2003 8:01:25 PM PDT by Jim Robinson (FReepers are the GReatest!!)
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To: Jim Robinson
I was wondering where they were going and no one deserves to be there more than you Jim! Lucky ;)
5 posted on 05/01/2003 8:02:25 PM PDT by JustPiper (Fire the UN! Revoke their lease!!!)
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To: Jim Robinson; Admin Moderator
Jim Robinson
Since Nov 28, 1997

Hey! This guy just signed up in 1997! ;-)

Today was a proud day for you, Navy vet. Wish I could have been on board to salute the man.:-)

6 posted on 05/01/2003 8:20:12 PM PDT by an amused spectator
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To: an amused spectator
Has been a great day!

Thanks very much!
7 posted on 05/01/2003 8:23:52 PM PDT by Jim Robinson (FReepers are the GReatest!!)
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To: Jim Robinson; Arthalion; ATcohiba; bagster; bannie; bgone; Candee; Clovis_Skeptic; Conlan; ...


Come join us on Sunday to Welcome and Thank the men and women
who have finally come home from their mission in Iraq.

8 posted on 05/01/2003 8:25:09 PM PDT by JustAmy (God Bless and Protect our Military!!)
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To: gracie1; jkphoto; chadsworth; kmiller1k; ladyinred; Mama_Bear; tame; ironman4262; Othniel; ...


Come join us on Sunday to Welcome and Thank the men and women
who have finally come home from their mission in Iraq.

9 posted on 05/01/2003 8:26:19 PM PDT by JustAmy (God Bless and Protect our Military!!)
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To: JustAmy; Jim Robinson

Big bump for President Bush and NAS Lemoore.

10 posted on 05/01/2003 8:31:59 PM PDT by dighton (Amen-Corner Hatchet Team, Nasty Little Clique, Vulgar Horde)
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To: patriciaruth; lager; Saundra Duffy; semaj; shellylet; FresnoArmyBrat; at bay; spirit_free; ...


Come join us on Sunday to Welcome and Thank the men and women
who have finally come home from their mission in Iraq.

11 posted on 05/01/2003 8:32:30 PM PDT by JustAmy (God Bless and Protect our Military!!)
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To: Jim Robinson
JimRob...NAS LeMoore...great place. Was stationed there w/ VA-163, A-4 Skyhawk squadron, in early '68. My first WestPac with VA-163.."Saints"..(our squadron handel) was aboard the Uss Hancock (CVA-19)...an old Essex class "bird farm"... it was decom'd shorthly after our return in the late'60's. I digress.

I'm just thankful you have provided this forum. Seeing GWB catch that wire, his close affinity toward the flight deck crew, naval aviators, and the ship's company was just outstanding. GWB is the right man, in the right place...and, at the right time.

Mustang sends from "Malpaso" News...God Speed JimRob!
12 posted on 05/01/2003 8:39:59 PM PDT by Mustang (Evil Thrives When Good People Do Nothing!)
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To: Jim Robinson; JustAmy
Okay, see you there! I'm looking forward to this.
13 posted on 05/01/2003 11:06:07 PM PDT by Mama_Bear (Welcome home to the sailors and airmen aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln!)
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To: mtngrl@vrwc
Found it!!!

Hope to see you Sunday!!
14 posted on 05/02/2003 8:44:45 AM PDT by JustAmy (God Bless and Protect our Military!!)
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To: gracie1
Hope you will be able to join us Sunday.
Bring the family!!
15 posted on 05/02/2003 2:34:14 PM PDT by JustAmy (God Bless and Protect our Military!!)
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To: senorita
Hope you will be able to join us Sunday.
Bring the family!!
16 posted on 05/02/2003 2:34:39 PM PDT by JustAmy (God Bless and Protect our Military!!)
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To: Jim Robinson
The Abraham Lincoln will dock at it's home port here in Everett, Washington on Tuesday, May 6th! I invited all Puget Sound Freepers to join me in welcoming our warriors home! Bring a Flag!
17 posted on 05/02/2003 3:46:07 PM PDT by JDoutrider
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To: JDoutrider
That's great! Welcome home warriors!! Go NAVY!!
18 posted on 05/02/2003 4:06:06 PM PDT by Jim Robinson (FReepers are the GReatest!!)
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To: JustAmy; mtngrl@vrwc; gracie1; Mama_Bear; jkphoto; notpoliticallycorewrecked; ladyinred; ...
Reminder to all Fresno/Central Valley patriots: Our weekly Support Our Troops Rally will be held in Lemoore on Sunday this week rather than in Fresno.

Welcome Home USS Abraham Lincoln!!

GO NAVY!!


19 posted on 05/02/2003 4:08:40 PM PDT by Jim Robinson (FReepers are the GReatest!!)
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To: Jim Robinson
See ya there Jim.
20 posted on 05/02/2003 4:10:24 PM PDT by Diver Dave (GO NAVY!!!)
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