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 U.S. Marines Captain Tom Citrano kisses his girlfriend Beth Bunda good-bye prior to the departure of the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer from San Diego Naval Station, January 17, 2003. A flotilla of U.S. war ships with some 10,000 Navy personnel and soldiers from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force set sail for the Middle East today as the United States prepares for a possible war with Iraq. REUTERS/Mike Blake  US Marines 1st Lt. Chris Martin (R) kisses his wife Kimberly goodbye as Captain Tom Citrano (L) has a final moment with his girl friend Beth Bunda prior to the departure of the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer from San Diego Naval Station January 17, 2003.  Former U.S. Marine and Vietnam veteran Robert Berg (R) waves a U.S. flag as the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer sets sail from San Diego Naval Station, January 17, 2003 for deployment to the Middle East.  Corporal Lawrence Stradnick of the U.S. Marines writes down last minute notes for his wife Michelle (R) before he boards the USS Boxer at San Diego Naval Station on January 17, 2003. The USS Boxer, along with seven other ships, including the USS Mt. Rushmore in the background steaming out of San Diego Bay, are enroute to the Persian Gulf region with more than 10,000 sailors and marines. REUTERS/Fred Greaves  Sailor Chris Garrett kisses his girlfriend Jennifer Schmied (R) goodbye before he boards the USS Boxer at San Diego Naval Station on January 17, 2003.  Petty Officer Patricia Axelsen hugs her 23 month-old son, Tristan, as she says goodbye to him and her husband, Michael, who is also in the Navy, but not deploying, as marines and sailors attached to the USS Boxer prepares to sail along with six others from San Diego, Friday, Jan. 17, 2003.  Marine 1st Lt. Chris Martin, right, embraces his wife, Kimberly, as Capt. Tom Citrano, left, says goodbye to his girlfriend, Beth Bunda, as they prepare to board the USS Boxer as the ship prepares to sail along with six others from San Diego Friday, Jan. 17, 2003.  Marines, who are sailing on the USS Boxer, say their goodbyes as the ship prepares to get underway, as another ship in the group moves past Friday, Jan. 17, 2003, as the flotilla left San Diego
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