New ship perfect token for Reagans

VIRGINIA - Former First Lady Nancy Reagan yesterday christened the United States Navy's newest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier - the Ronald Reagan - in a bittersweet ceremony evoking the former Republican President's glory days and present infirmity.

President George W. Bush lavished praise on Reagan in a nostalgic tribute at the Newport News Shipbuilding Yard.

Reagan, aged 90, did not attend the event. He has rarely ventured out in public since he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 1994.

Nancy Reagan, who married Reagan 49 years ago yesterday, slammed the champagne bottle against the ship's bow, flinching at the spray.

"It is true that today is our 49th wedding anniversary. I want to thank the Navy for giving us such a wonderful present. Such a little thing," she said, drawing laughter as she glanced over her shoulder at the towering ship. "I wish Ronnie were here. Somehow, I think he is."

Bush and a string of top Republicans honoured the 40th US President, who occupied the White House from 1981 to 1989 and revived the modern Republican Party's fortunes after former President Richard Nixon's disgrace in the Watergate scandal. The President recalled Reagan's record of rebuilding the US military and his doctrine of "peace through strength."

"Today, the Ronald Reagan begins its journey into the bright and peaceful dawn that President Reagan helped to bring," Bush said. "All of us wish the ship Ronald Reagan Godspeed and we wish Ronald Reagan God's blessings."

The carrier, 333m from stem to stern, will be home to 6000 sailors and some 80 aircraft when it enters service in 2003.

- REUTERS

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