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<< Previous   of   Next >> Associated Press  (click to enlarge) President Bush declares the end of major combat in Iraq as he speaks aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln off the California coast on May 1, 2003.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Saturday, May 1, 2004 Lincoln's moment a benchmark for war President Bush's speech aboard the ship a year ago continues to cause political friction. Brian Kelly and Jerry Cornfield / Herald Writers Although it remains a career highlight for many, President Bush's historic visit to the USS Abraham Lincoln a year ago today is fading from the crew's collective memory as new sailors replace the veterans of the warship's last deployment. For others - including Democratic Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and Rep. Rick Larsen, who represent the area in Congress - the anniversary brings renewed questions and criticism of Bush's handling of the aftermath of the Iraq war. Bush visited the Everett-based aircraft carrier as it returned from a 290-day deployment for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The president used the flight deck of the Nimitz-class carrier to declare major combat operations in Iraq over, and he thanked the Lincoln crew for its help in the war on terrorism. But with the Iraqi conflict turning increasingly violent in recent weeks - more U.S. troops have died in the last month than the number killed during the invasion of Iraq - the president's May 1, 2003, speech continues to be the benchmark for progress in the war. Critics of the war have intensified their attacks of the president's stewardship of the war and his "Mission Accomplished" moment. However, the views of those who stood before the president on the Lincoln a year ago have changed little, if at all. Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Mark Brooks sat front and center on the Lincoln's flight deck during Bush's speech, close enough that the sailor's two teenage sons saw his face during the nationwide broadcast. Brooks has spent 18 months on the Lincoln and 24 years in the Navy. "I thought he did great things for the ship," Brooks said of the visit. "It was definitely a high point for the crew." Still, there's no shortage of criticism off the ship. Twelve months after the decisive military win, a democratic Iraq has not emerged. And the toll in U.S. treasure and troops continues to climb. There have been 601 U.S. soldiers killed since last May. Larsen, Murray and Cantwell are disappointed with the process undertaken by the administration. "The president's words raised expectations of the American people that the hard lifting was done and it was a matter of mopping up," Larsen said. "It's sad and unfortunate that wasn't true." All three were onboard the Lincoln when it pulled into port almost a year ago. In interviews over the last two weeks, each reflected on what has transpired and what lies ahead as a June 30 deadline nears for handing over control to a new Iraqi government. "I remember waking up very early that morning to meet the men and women who were returning. I felt as an American how lucky I was to thank them for their service to the country," Murray said. "A year later, we are all painfully aware there is a lot left to do in Iraq. We need a defined plan for whatever our mission is and what our goal is. "I personally have called or written 24 Washington families who lost a loved one since President Bush declared major combat of the conflict was over," she said. Cantwell, who visited Iraq in August, said the blueprint for rebuilding was poorly drawn. "I don't think the mission is accomplished. There's been a great debate about that here on the Capitol the last few days," she said. "I don't think Americans want to cut and run from Iraq. They want to see it finished, but we are far from that." U.S. military leaders made clear last month that they need more money for operations, but no requests have been sent to Congress. It is expected that the president will submit a request for at least $50 billion, but it could be much higher, lawmakers said. "I think it is essential the president level with the American public the sacrifices that we all have to make in the war in Iraq and the war on terrorism," Murray said. Larsen visited Iraq last fall. While there, he viewed a mass grave for Iraqis killed by the forces of former leader Saddam Hussein. He said it's imperative that the public support the troops and Congress ensure the soldiers have needed resources. In the meantime, the administration owes the country a better picture of what is necessary to end U.S. presence in Iraq. "We got rid of Saddam Hussein, and the Iraqi people are better off for it," Larsen said. But "I don't see them any closer to democracy than we saw on the first (of May) last year." For those who served on the Lincoln, the anniversary of Bush's May 1, 2003, speech isn't a time for reflection on the success of the occupation, but a reminder of a visit that inspired pride. "It showed that President Bush really appreciated what we had done and the sacrifice that the sailors who were here at the time had made," Petty Officer 1st Class Keith Jones said. Jones missed the president's speech. He was sleeping. "I hadn't slept in about three days," he said. Although he'd set his alarm, he didn't hear it go off. "I saw it on tape as soon as I got up. I've seen it about 20 times since." For many on the Lincoln, though, talk of the president's visit is becoming a sea story. Jones estimates that as many 40 percent of the ship's crew who served during the last deployment have gone on to different assignments, retired or left the Navy. "When we pulled into Everett, I'd say within the first month, a few hundred hands changed place," he said. Mark Lind is one of those former Lincoln sailors. A retired chief, Lind's last day in the Navy was the day the Lincoln returned home on May 6, 2003. It was the end of a Navy career that started in 1981, and was prolonged by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The tragedy inspired Lind to re-enlist with orders for the Lincoln because he knew it would be deployed to the fight against the terrorists who had killed thousands on American soil. And while polls say public support for the war has dropped, feelings are still strong from those who served on the Lincoln that liberating Iraq was the right thing to do. "His whole visit has been really badly characterized in the press and politicized," Lind said of Bush. The much-ballyhooed banner was meant to compliment the crew, he said. "First of all, mission accomplished. That was our mission: Above and beyond the call of duty," Lind said. "Those kids worked hard, everyone worked hard, to get home safe. All our aircraft returned, and all our pilots returned safely. Mission accomplished." "And the fact that the commander-in-chief came out to recognize that, I thought that was superb, absolutely superb," he said. The United States should remain in Iraq and stay the course, Lind said. "Our freedom didn't come easy," he said. "And it was years later before our Constitution was even ratified. These things are going to take time." Reporter Brian Kelly: 425-339-3422 or kelly@heraldnet.com. Reporter Jerry Cornfield: jcornfield@heraldnet.com or 360-352-8623.

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