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Community Corner

Laguna Niguel Military Committee Makes 150-Foot Lei

Members will present the handmade lei to the City Council and reps of the USS McClusky April 3.

will be presenting a 150-foot 'Welcome-Home' ship's lei to representatives of the at the meeting on April 3.

The USS McClusky, also known as "The Mighty Mac," will soon be returning to its home port of San Diego following a 6-month deployment to South America. Upon its return, and immediately prior to the ship crossing under the Coronado Bridge in San Diego, a helicopter will fly the lei out to the ship.

The sailors will drape this beautiful red-white-and blue flower lei, tied up with yellow ribbons, over the bow of the ship to signal its return home. As soon as the families and friends spot the lei, they know that their beloved sailors have arrived safely back home. The music, the cheers, and the joy everyone is feeling is a teary-eyed moment for both observers and participants.

Committee members and community volunteers have been working several months at the  to construct the lei.

This is the third ship's lei that the committee has made, and it was finished in record time. There were 27 volunteers who worked 25 hours to complete it. The committee makes a new lei every two years.  The leis constructed by Laguna Niguel have become so well known throughout the Navy that they are shared by the USS McClusky with sister ships for homecomings.

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"It was such a pleasure to be a part this wonderful project and rewarding to know that it was with the Laguna Niguel Military Support Group for the USS McClusky," said Linda Larson, member of the Laguna Niguel Women's Club, and American Legion Auxillary.

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