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Fame follows local sailor home

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 22, 2009

LAKEWOOD RANCH - The return to normalcy will have to wait a little while for Ken Quinn.

The father of two says he's still a bit dazed by the celebrity that came with being a crew member of the Maersk Alabama, which Somali pirates attempted to hijack. The crew ultimately managed to keep control of the ship, and its captain eventually was rescued by the Navy, which shot three of the pirates who had taken him hostage.

Since the crew arrived in New York late Friday, Quinn, 54, has been interviewed on CNN and appeared on "The Colbert Report." On Tuesday, Quinn returned to his Manatee County home to be greeted by local media and a party in his honor.

After being given a wine basket and gift certificates to local eateries, Quinn cheerfully answered questions from reporters and neighbors for about 30 minutes, interrupted occasionally by cheers and applause. He seemed bemused by all the attention. "I'm just a regular guy, working, and all of a sudden everyone now wants to interview me." - A staff report

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