Homecoming of USS "Lincoln" Carrier Group

HOMECOMING OF USS "LINCOLN" CARRIER GROUP -- (House of Representatives - March 03, 2005)

(Mr. LARSEN of Washington asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the service of the sailors and Marine Corps of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group who bravely and compassionately served the Nation and the world in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean in the wake of December's tragic tsunami.

These women and men began their new year by delivering vital food, water, and medicine around the clock to the people of Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. They showed the world the values that we represent and why this country is so great.

From January 1 until February 4, carrier group aircraft flew over 1,700 missions in support of Operation Unified Assistance, carrying almost 6 million pounds of supplies. Over 1,200 crew mechanics from the group volunteered to go ashore and help.

Tomorrow I will attend the USS Lincoln and USS Shoup homecoming to Everett Washington. The VAQ 131 Prowler Squadron out of NAS Whidbey, the Lancers, just returned; and they are all part of Operation Unified Assistance.

Tomorrow, with their return, will be a great day for our country, a great day for our Navy and Marine Corps and for their families to celebrate.

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