With a "Don't Tread on Me" flag for a backdrop President Bill Clinton addresses U. S. Armed Forces personnel on the flight deck of the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Independence (CV 62) at her homeport of Yokosuka, Japan, on Wednesday, April 17, 1996. The President took time out from his state visit to Japan to meet with the crew of the carrier and to thank them for their role in representing U.S. interests during their deployment off the coast of Taiwan. As the oldest commissioned ship in active service, the Independence is permitted to fly the "Don't Tread on Me" flag.