Palin book-signing at Elmendorf closed to general public

Palin will sign "Going Rogue" at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage from noon to 3 p.m. at the base exchange. She'll then go to Eielson Air Force Base outside Fairbanks and sign books at the shopping center there from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

"This book tour has been an amazing and inspirational experience for me and my family as we crisscrossed the country and met so many wonderful Americans," Palin wrote on her Facebook page Thursday. "At nearly every stop we met someone with a connection to Alaska -- usually through the military from being stationed at one of Alaska's bases. With that in mind, we've decided to hold the final book signings at Alaska's Elmendorf and Eielson AFBs. Hope to see you there!"

The Alaska events were last-minute additions to Palin's published tour schedule. Asked why no signings open to the general public were scheduled in Alaska, Palin publicist Tina Andreadis of HarperCollins Publishers responded by e-mail that "The Governor is humbled by this opportunity to honor the nation's military stationed in AK, especially during the Holidays."

Anyone with access to Elmendorf or Fort Richardson can attend the Anchorage event. A military ID is needed for the Eielson signing, which will be held at the Army and Air Forces Exchange Service (AAFES) shopping center.

"The tour in no way reflects the Air Force's or AAFES' support commercially or politically for Gov. Palin. The event provides an opportunity for Gov. Palin to connect with fans, military members and their families," Eielson said in materials distributed to the news media.

Senior Airman David Carbajal of Elmendorf 3rd Wing public affairs said Palin wanted to have the event on base, and it was Elmendorf's decision to close it for security reasons.

"Being that we were told so late, we don't have time to prepare the base to be open to the general public," he said.

Palin has drawn huge crowds in the Lower 48 since the tour promoting "Going Rogue" began in Michigan on Nov. 18. A crowd estimated at up to 1,200 people waited in the cold to get their books signed Thursday at a Fred Meyer in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Palin next traveled to a signing in her birthplace of Sandpoint, Idaho.

"On bus 4 ride North=book event in Sandpoint;stop in Idaho snowmachine shop owned by Todd's Iron Dog buddies;small biz owners rock r economy!" Palin wrote late Thursday afternoon on her Twitter feed.