McCain: ‘I will compete and win in the State of Maine’

Presidential nominee John McCain said Monday that he plans to be competitive in Maine.

McCain spent the day in the state. After attending three fundraisers in Kennebunkport, he made a public appearance at the Maine Military Museum.

In his 15-minute speech, he commended all the veterans in the crowd and spoke about gaining energy independence and having strong national security. He differentiated himself from his opponent, Barack Obama, on both respects.

He ended his speech with a war story to illustrate his patriotism. While serving in Vietnam, he spent about 5 years as a prisoner of war.

During that time, a fellow prisoner stitched an American Flag on his shirt. Before dinner, the Americans would Pledge Allegiance to this handmade flag. It was the most important part of their day, McCain said.

The Vietnamese found this shirt, and beat the prisoner who made it. Back in his cell later that day, the prisoner stitched a new flag, because he knew how important it was to his fellow prisoners.

“I want to promise you, as president of the United States, I will always, always put my country first,” McCain said in his speech. “We may disagree on issues from time to time, and that’s healthy and important, but I’ve spend my life in the service of this country, and always, always putting my country first.”

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