EVERETT — Everett Transit bus driver Jim Tegerdine wanted to do something to honor the USS Abraham Lincoln sailors returning home to Everett on May 6 after more than nine months at sea.
Tegerdine remembered a close-up shot he had taken last fall of an eagle near Arlington, and put it on a placard along with, "Thank you, USS Abraham Lincoln."
Everett Transit this week decided to put the placards inside the four buses it will use to shuttle well-wishers from the 10th Street boat launch to the Port of Everett’s Pier 1, the site of the homecoming celebration for the Lincoln. The placards will probably stay up for several days afterward, said Ken Housden, Everett Transportation Services director.
"This sends a good message to the Navy and encourages the general public to support what they have been doing," Tegerdine said.
"This is a Navy town," Housden added. "The men and women who serve on that ship are not only members of the armed forces serving their country, they’re our mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and neighbors, and we take pride in what they did."
The shuttle buses that will display the placards will arrive at the boat launch about 8 a.m. Tuesday, city spokeswoman Kate Reardon said.
Pier 1 is just east of where the Lincoln will dock at Naval Station Everett. The Lincoln is scheduled to arrive at 10 a.m., although it could be visible from shore by 8:30 a.m.
As sailors leave the Navy base, they will pass by four large vinyl banners crammed with greetings. The banners will hang on the entrance fences of Naval Station Everett. The city put up the banners at Everett Mall Friday, but today might be the last chance residents have to sign homecoming messages.
Reardon said that when she went to the mall Saturday night, "every nook and cranny on the banners was filled, except for a little space on one. I couldn’t believe it."
On Monday, the city flipped the banners around so more people could sign them on the back. But by Tuesday afternoon, most of that space also was filled, Reardon said.
The banners are just outside Mervyn’s department store.
When the sailors return to Everett, Reardon said, they will also see hundreds of signs lining W. Marine View Drive that say, "Welcome home USS Lincoln. Everett thanks you." Those signs are being made by the Everett firefighters union.
In addition, members of Support Our Troops are planning to stand on W. Marine View Drive with flags and signs, she said.
The city is continuing to firm up details of the May 10 parade, which will start at 11 a.m. at Colby Avenue and 26th Street, go south on Colby, east on Wall Street, then north on Wetmore Avenue to Everett High School. There will be a homecoming ceremony at 10 a.m. at Colby and Hewitt avenues.
Sailors and their families, Navy dignitaries, local Iraqis, and VFW, Navy and Everett Fire Department color guards will be among those marching. But elected officials will not march, to keep the focus on the sailors, Reardon said.
"The parade really is to honor the work and dedication of the sailors and their families," she said. "We want to invite all community members to be a part of the parade by watching it from the sidewalks. We want everyone to fill the streets of Everett."
Reporter David Olson: 425-339-3452 or dolson@heraldnet.com.
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