Aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln - A First Hand Report

myself ^ | May 9, 2003 | myself

[GOPrincess]

I appreciate you sharing your son's account with us *very* much -- and appreciate his service even more! :)

[Michael.SF.]

Kudos to him and his very capable crewmates on the AL.

Onething I should have added:

We went out to dinner in Seattle that night, to the Metropolitan Grill, during the course of our evening there, five different people came up to him to shake his hand and offer their best wishes (he was in his Whites). The restaurant was also fabulous in everyway. Including comping him for an appetizer and dessert.

Seattle of course is an extreme leftist area, but we heard nothing but very positive comments from everyone we met. There may have been many people that we came across, who disagreed with the actions taken, but at least they had the courtesy to not show any signs of disrespect.

And thank you at all of you for your kind words!!

[Mr. K]

I wish they had some photos of the president eating dinner with the crew.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

I hope these pics make the libs so mad that they can't even see straight.

030501-N-6020P-017 Pacific Ocean (May 1, 2003) -- President George W. Bush successfully traps aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in a S-3B Viking assigned to the Blue Wolves of Sea Control Squadron Three Five (VS-35) designated "NAVY 1". President Bush is the first sitting President to trap aboard an aircraft carrier at sea. The President is conducting a visit aboard ship to meet with the Sailors and will address the Nation as Lincoln prepares to return from a 10-month deployment to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Gabriel Piper. (RELEASED)

030501-N-6817C-040 Pacific Ocean (May 1, 2003) -- President George W. Bush takes a tour of the Bridge during a his visit aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). The President is conducting a visit aboard ship to meet with the Sailors and will address the Nation as Lincoln prepares to return from a 10-month deployment to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Tyler J. Clements. (RELEASED)

[Fred Mertz]

Thanks for the wonderful report. Best wishes to your son and the rest of the crew.

[visualops]

Thank you very much!
Great post, and raspberries to all the spoilsports and whiners regarding the President's landing on board.

Tell your son from everyone here we are very proud of all our armed forces!

[OhMike]

I hardly ever post. I'm usually satisfied to read the news stories and enjoy the comments from my fellow FReepers. However, this time I had to write to thank you for this account--and to thank your son for his service. We are all grateful for what he and his shipmates have done, and we exalt in their safe return. Thankfully, we and these brave men have the leadership we do now.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Salute !

[Blood of Tyrants]

The Marines have airwing attachments and security attachment on board all carriers. The corporal could have fallen (or been blown) overboard or died as a result of an non-aviation related accident.

[Grampa Dave]

That is a big turn around in the behavior of the Seattle area to our vets coming home from Nam. That is good news!

We are proud of your son, his fellow sailors and parents like you who raised fine young men and women! They did an incredible job for our country and helped to free two nations, Aghanistan and Iraq from a terrible tyranny!

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for posting this great shot. I had not seen this picture.

Jeff, for your attention.

[Mustang]

Great post Michael! Give your son a mega-FReeper hug from all of us...then, tell him to pass it on to his shipmates.

Mustang sends from "Malpaso News"

[SES1066]

Thank you and your family, and especially your son, for their sacrifices over the past 10 months, as well as before that. First, Afganistan and then Iraq, this was a LONG cruise. Thanks for your first-person reporting that shows how bogus are the Dimocrats criticisms of late arrival and vast expense.

[KSCITYBOY]

The marine W mentioned was not related to the ship - The president just wanted to make a point that those who died in the war were real people and real loses to their families.

[proud American in Canada]

Thanks for posting this! :) And thanks to your son...

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

No problem. I love this one, too:

030501-N-6817C-087 Pacific Ocean (May 1, 2003) -- President George W. Bush poses with Sailors for a photo on the flight deck after a successful trap aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in an S-3B Viking assigned to the Blue Wolves of Sea Control Squadron Three Five (VS-35) designated "NAVY 1". President Bush is the first sitting President to trap aboard an aircraft carrier at sea. The President is conducting a visit aboard ship to meet with the Sailors and will address the Nation as Lincoln prepares to return from a 10-month deployment to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Tyler J. Clements. (RELEASED)

[Guyin4Os]

The President also later ate with the crew, as did much of the entourage

I'm told the menu was steak and lobster. Why hasn't PETA chimed in on this yet?

[sonsofliberty2000]

"after a successful trap aboard"

I knew it! They captured the President and forced him to take pictures! Dems need to grow up and let a real leader do his job.

[Jeff Head]

The first one I have had up on the site since May 1st...

The second one I had not seen but will get it on the site pronto ... President on the bridge!