                            THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT   
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Tuesday, August 15, 1995               TAG: 9508150261
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: FINAL  
                                             LENGTH: Short :   49 lines

CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION: * Contrary to a report in Tuesday's Metro News section, the Navy airplanes flown by former President George Bush during World War II were not jets. Correction published , Wednesday August 16, 1995, p. A2 < * AN EMOTIONAL HOMECOMING FORMER PRESIDENT, FIRST LADY RETURN TO BEACH ON V-J DAY

``The spirit of the Navy remains the same.''

A presidential homecoming

Fifty years after he flew Navy jets at what was then the old North Station in Virginia Beach, former President George Bush returned to his former airstrip Monday in what he said was an ``emotional'' homecoming. A decorated World War II pilot, Bush said it was appropriate for him to come to the area on the 50th anniversary of VJ Day.

``It's a very emotional return for both Barbara and me, it's hard to describe it,'' Bush said, as he arrived at the Oceana Naval Air Station at 1:30 p.m. ``It gives me a chance to say a belated thank you to the people who are serving today.

``I love them. The spirit of the Navy remains the same.''

Bush - escorted by Vice Adm. Richard Allen, commander of Naval Air Forces, Atlantic Fleet - watched a demonstration of the F-14 Tomcat, flown by Cmdr. Charles Wyatt, the commanding officer of the VF-101 Grim Reapers, and Lt. Chris Stubbs, the radar intercept officer. Bush visited the Tomcat simulator and then gave a brief and private address to personnel stationed at Oceana, before departing. ILLUSTRATION: Color staff photo by Mort Fryman

F-14 Tomcats put on a demonstration Monday at Oceana Naval Air

Station.

From left: Barbara Bush, Skylar Wyatt, 6 - her father, Cmdr. Chuck

Wyatt, flew in the air show - and former President Bush.

by CNB