First Lady Drops In on Carrier, Learns of Navy Drug Programs
Nancy Reagan flew by helicopter today to an aircraft carrier in the Atlantic, where she spent the day touring the mammoth vessel and learning about the Navy’s drug and alcohol abuse programs.
The First Lady, who has traveled around the country in her campaign against drugs, proceeded with her trip to the carrier America off the coast of Norfolk, Va., despite her husband’s illness.
She had been scheduled to spend the night on the ship, which is home to 5,000 Navy men, but she shortened the visit to a day outing after President Reagan’s cancer surgery over the weekend.
Her press secretary, Jennefer Hirshberg, said Mrs. Reagan was drained but determined to go on with business as usual.
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