by Jill Zuckman
Jacksonville, Fla. - Sen. John McCain likes to tell voters that he has been involved in every important national security matter facing the United States over the last 20 years.
It turns out, McCain's involvement goes back even further if you consider the Cuban missile crisis of 1962. Back then, he was part of an air wing on the USS Enterprise, one of the first nuclear powered aircraft carriers.
"They said we were going out to sea because of a hurricane, but there was no hurricane," said McCain, when asked about the event during a day of campaigning from Miami to Jacksonville and Pensacola.
His aircraft carrier was first to the scene, circling around the island.
"I remember going into the ward room and listening to President Kennedy talk to the nation…outlining the threat we faced, the discovery that the Russians had placed missiles in Cuba," he said of the Cold War crisis that riveted the nation and had special resonance for the people of Florida.
(The ward room, for those who do not know, is the room where officers ate on board the aircraft carrier.)
"We were on high alert. The squadron we were in was an attack squadron – old airplane called the AD Skyraider - and we had targets in Cuba. And for several days, it appeared that we may indeed be in a conflict and obviously that didn't happen," he said.
McCain acknowledged that the mood on board was tense, given what the president had had to say and they had planes loaded with weapons to deliver and targets picked out in Cuba.
"But I also have to tell you when you're that age there's a certain spirit of excitement and adventure and that's what you're trained to do," he said. "There was also some enthusiasm for carrying out our mission."
The conflict ended 14 days after it began, when Soviet General Secretary Nikita Krushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles.
"I'm still proud of the United States of America and the way we handled that conflict," said McCain.
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Comments
...and now he plays politics for a living:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1188858/posts
Posted by: Kendel | January 21, 2008 5:42 PM
I love it when Johhny Mac regales us with stories of the good ole days in Cuba.
If you liked the above story, you'll really love his first person account of the battle at San Juan Hill.
Maybe later. Nappy time for Unca Johnny now.
Posted by: a blinkin | January 21, 2008 6:02 PM
To paraphrase dogjudge, an Obama supporter, "what does it really matter what happens in Cuba? Who cares about it?" Please.
Posted by: Jeff | January 21, 2008 6:05 PM
I for one was also involved with the "Cuban Missile Crisis" and for anyone to down play what took place back then or to minimalize the threat to our country,then your just ignorant. And don't pick on Sen.McCain because he has more moxy then you will ever have.
Posted by: Paul Jaeger | January 21, 2008 6:28 PM
Speaking of all the good our stupid military policies are doing...
http://rinf.com/alt-news/war-terrorism/video-us-troops-encourgae-kids-to-smoke/2263/
Posted by: rncbs | January 21, 2008 6:40 PM
Of all the stinkin' Republic Party Prez candidates, I want McCain to win the most.
He'll be the easiest to tie to Prez 26% and Veep Dictator Darth:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/01/04/john-mccain-lets-stay-in-iraq-for-100-years/
Posted by: John E | January 21, 2008 7:55 PM
In my mind, a guy like John McCain,with his honorable,and heroic service during Vietnam,holds alot of sway.
Posted by: John E. | Oct 16, 2006 12:01:32 PM
Posted by: Truth B. Told | January 21, 2008 8:01 PM
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/01/04/john-mccain-lets-stay-in-iraq-for-100-years/
Posted by: Truth B. Told | January 21, 2008 8:01 PM
That's right Leo Juanito, I support him alright!!!
Posted by: John E | January 21, 2008 8:06 PM
Frankly, you have to be suffering from short-term memory loss to consider his candidacy without laughing. In fact, the more you know of his record the worse it gets.
McCain Loan Could Violate Donor Privacy
http://www.politico.com:80/news/stories/0108/7837.html
McLame's Immigration Insanity
http://www.borderfirereport.net:80/letters-from-readers/mclames-immigration-insanity.html
Video: Liebs says McCain did not support amnesty for illegal aliens
http://hotair.com/archives/2008/01/05/video-liebs-says-mccain-did-not-support-amnesty-for-illegal-aliens
McCain: "We Are Not Going To Build Fences And Barriers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5G3kH1PvvU
Tom DeLay Disses McCain, Calls New Hampshire Win ‘A Blip’
http://youdecide08.foxnews.com:80/2008/01/09/tom-delay-disses-mccain-calls-new-hampshire-win-a-blip/
John McCain and Our Second Amendment
http://www.gunowners.org/pres08/mccain.htm
John McCain's Skeleton Closet
http://www.realchange.org/mccain.htm#keating
The Conservative Case Against McCain
http://thenextprez.blogspot.com/2005/12/conservative-case-against-mccain.html
A Vote For McCain Is A Vote For Amnesty, Open Borders and Never Building A Fence
http://www.rightwingnews.com/mt331/2008/01/a_vote_for_john_mccain_is_a_vo.php
#%&@# You McCain's Unstable Temper Raises More Doubt from Arizona News ( This site will not post actual title. Search Arizona News for John McCain. It's worth the effort to find it. )
Conservative Group Campaigns Against McCain: He's No Ronald Reagan
http://www.rawstory.com/news/2007/Conservative_group_campaigns_again_McCain_Hes_0301.html
Former Senator Rick Santorum sees a lot of problems with John McCain's credentials
http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/talkradio/transcripts/Transcript.aspx?ContentGuid=e96c3803-c542-4a57-98bd-68635a744540&comments=true
John McCain's Temper Preceded Vietnam
http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2006/8/30/123006.shtml
John McCain's Record of Economic Issues
http://www.clubforgrowth.org/2007/03/arizona_senator_john_mccains_t.php
McCain Would Vote Against The Bush Tax Cuts All Over Again
http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/blog/g/301ccb6c-32b0-4ba7-8330-68d560f67dd8
McCains Stand On Detainees May Pose Risk For 2008 Bid
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/18/AR2006091801353.html
Democrats Contributed Heavily To McCain's Effort in District 11 Election
http://www.azconservative.org/McCain_Discord.htm
The Conservative Case Against Huckabee And McCain
http://www.townhall.com/blog/g/019929f6-5799-479e-a86b-e2e2601330ab
McCain Walks Into Conservative Clothesline
http://www.baltimoregroupblog.com/2007/03/19/mccain-walks-into-conservative-clothes-line/
John McCain Is No Hero
http://www.usvetdsp.com/bengmcan.htm
U.S. Senator John McCain Is No War Hero
http://www.namvets.com/Reading/john_mccain_is_no_war_hero.htm
Flashback: The Real John McCain
http://www.townhall.com/blog/g/43aba933-6972-4a36-a25f-a2973e69e4ee
Wife of POW Navy Pilot, Who Had Husband's Remains Sent Home By North Vietnamese in 1989, Was Lied to by U.S. Officials For Years About His Whereabouts And POW Status
http://www.arcticbeacon.com/articles/31-oct-2005.html
Defending America by David Hackworth
http://www.hackworth.com/25jan00.html
IT'S TIME TO GIVE THE U.S. ARMY A GOOD SHAKE
http://www.hackworth.com/19nov01.html
Why Vietnam Vets Split on McCain
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1571/is_12_16/ai_61487324
Luck Of The Admiral's Son Not For "Grunts"
http://www.usvetdsp.com/smith_mc.htm
ARIZONA'S JOHN McCAIN: A Fraud, "Rhinestone Hero," and National Security Risk
http://www.geoffmetcalf.com/mccain.html
MSNBC questions McCain's temper; Reporter says McCain vexes Senate colleagues
http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/MSNBC_Does_McCains_temper_hurt_presidential_0707.html
Posted by: TheTruth B. Told | January 21, 2008 8:13 PM
Do you think Hillary or Obama will be the one to tie Congressional Leadership 18%? Or maybe do the "Full Mondale" and only win their home state?
Posted by: Jeff | January 22, 2008 1:33 AM
"But I also have to tell you when you're that age there's a certain spirit of excitement and adventure and that's what you're trained to do," he said. "There was also some enthusiasm for carrying out our mission."
You know sometime Senator McCain sounds like he thinks war is a great deal of fun.(Iraq for 100 years) Sometimes he sounds like he can't wait to start one of his own. (Bomb-Bomb-Bomb Bomb-Bomb Iran).
You would think as an actual combat veteran the horrors of war would make him more reflective, and less likely to treat the concept of war flippantly.
Posted by: JT | January 22, 2008 9:28 AM