VENDOR SELLS PATRIOTIC WINDSOCKS BEFORE HOMECOMING OF USS LINCOLN, 2003-05-05 (photo)

Marlene Engbrecht (R) of Washougal, Washington sells a 'Support the Troops' windsock to Nicholas Varela, 5, and his grandmother Martha Gallagher, both of El Dorado Hills, California, near the front gate of the Naval Station Everett on May 5, 2003 The aircraft carrier USS Lincoln and its Aircraft Carrier Strike Group is scheduled to return to home port on May 6. The city of Everett is preparing to celebrate the homecoming of the the USS Lincoln, which is the main vessel of aircraft carrier strike group CVN72's 24 vessels. More than 5,000 sailors aboard the Nimitz-class carrier Lincoln have been deployed for nearly 10 months after supporting military operations in Iraq. REUTERS/Anthony P. Bolante APB/GAC