An Alaskan remembers Sen. John McCain

Sen. John McCain visited Alaska many times. I was fortunate to be supporting National Park Service logistics for a Congressional delegation visit in 2005. The group was interested to learn more about climate change and went to Kenai Fjords National Park to see changes firsthand. The bipartisan group consisted of Sen. McCain, former First Lady and then-Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. Lindsey Graham and Sen. Susan Collins.

We made a stop at Tern Lake and it became clear quickly they were all approachable, amiable with each other and very interested in learning.

When we arrived at the Nature Center at Exit Glacier, the press was there, as well of a crowd of well-wishers who wanted Sen. Clinton to sign her book, "It Takes a Village." Sen. McCain, who was the lead person of the group, allowed time for that to occur, jokingly quipping about how it was important to please "Her Highness." He also made clear to the press when they could or couldn't ask questions and take photos. The group listened closely to their briefings by the park superintendent, park staff and guest UAF professor then walked the area. In a picture the group took, Sen. McCain held a piece of glacial ice. While he smiled, he told the press, "hurry up, it's cold."

They next went on Resurrection Bay and had more briefings, asking many questions.

We met for dinner in Seward. At the table, the banter continued. The delegation joked with each other about their food and drink choices. Sen. Clinton asked Sen. McCain about his prisoner-of-war experiences. He asked about her daughter Chelsea's academic achievements. They all posed questions to us about Alaska, the National Park Service, and climate change, as well as other pertinent issues.

They were polite and cordial to the public. Several people at the restaurant came by to say hello. If any military personnel were there, Sen. McCain stood up to thank them for their service and made sure he paid for their dinners.

That evening I drove Sen. Collins back to Anchorage to catch a plane. She spoke of how grateful she was to have been included on this and other trips with Sen. McCain. She mentioned how he had mentored Sen. Graham and how they had become good friends.

A couple days later, my family and I were flying to California, and as we were waiting at the gate, I saw Sen. McCain. I asked him how the second day in Seward went and if I could bring my family over to introduce them. He said he would walk over to meet them and they spoke about his book and his possible bid for the presidency. Once on board, I realized he was in the back of the plane in a middle seat. I offered to switch with him for the more comfortable exit row and he declined.

Sen. McCain will certainly be remembered for his numerous major achievements, but from my short time with him, I saw so many small kindnesses, heard intelligent questions, observed a genuine sense of humor, leadership and camaraderie. I wrote this to share that sense of him.

Judy Caminer is a former Associate Regional Director for the National Park
Service, Alaska Regional Office. She worked for the Alaska National Park
Service for 14 years in several senior management capacities.

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