"It’s good to be home again." Those are the words Senator John McCain spoke to me as he deplaned at the Meridian Regional Airport last Sunday afternoon.
I understand, of course, that John McCain is an Arizonan, not a Mississippian, and that as he has often observed, no military man himself born into a military family has ever had any permanent address for very long during his formative years or through the active service career which follows. Furthermore, the man IS running for President, and the one address which most holds his interest and attention these days is 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. That’s "DC," not "MS."
Still, there was a palpable warmth, a subtle sincerity, if you will, which I detected in McCain’s characterization of Mississippi as "home." I witnessed McCain repeatedly and, very comfortably, I must say, gratefully embrace the entire gamut of his Mississippi roots, ranging from his rural Carroll County forebears to his early flying career at the Meridian naval airfield named for his grandfather.
I believe John McCain when he says he is at "home" in Mississippi. No doubt he feels that way about several other places too, but the Magnolia State is on his radar screen, we clearly claim a special piece of his heart, and Mississippians definitely will not be strangers when McCain sits in the Oval Office.
Mrs. Roberta McCain, the mother of the man all the McCain ladies believe (as do I) is destined to be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States at high noon next January 20. It was my great honor, along with my wife, Renee, to serve as this very special lady’s driver, escort, and dinner companion. Although supposedly 96 years of age (it must be true, through I still can’t believe it!), Roberta McCain has the classic looks of a beautiful 70-year old, and the mind of a bright, engaging and articulate 50-year old. She is a true joy to behold and to converse with.
As I opened the door to the vehicle when we arrived back at her Meridian hotel Sunday night, a still energetic, passionate and ever thoughtful Mrs. McCain thanked me for driving her and for helping her son, and then took my hand in hers, looked deeply into my eyes, and said to me in the most touching, earnest and heartfelt manner imaginable: "You know, I just believe America needs this man now . . . ."
Mississippi believes that too, Mrs. Roberta.
(Read the Full Story Here)
1 comment:
Y'all have some incorrect historical information about Senator McCain's ancestors. His great-grandfather, John Sidney McCain, b. 1851, was elected sheriff of Carroll County, Miss., fall of 1889 and served 1 term; before that, he served from 1886 through 1889 as supervisor of Beat 2, Carroll County, Miss. The William Alexander McCain who got sick and died after joining the Confederate Cavalry around 1863, was the Senator's great-great grandfather, who bought farm property at Teoc, Miss., late 1850.
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