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Letter: Memories of McCain

By Ray Steiger, Brush Prairie
Published: September 14, 2018, 6:00am

Even though I never met him, I have always had a strong connection with Sen. John S. McCain, not only for the great person that he was, but because of how he came into my life.

In 1953, I was in the U.S. Navy and had just completed Quartermaster School, and was allowed to select my next assignment. The first new vessel to be built after World War II was my choice. It was called a “destroyer leader” (DL-3), named the USS John S. McCain, named after Admiral John S. McCain (the 1st). It was home-ported in Boston and due to be officially commissioned on Oct. 12, 1953.

That day came and I was on the bridge of the ship with a great view of the ceremonies. Standing just below me on the pier, apart from the crowd, was Admiral John S. McCain (the 2nd) and his 17-year-old son, the future war hero and U.S. senator, John S. McCain (the 3rd). It is a fond memory that will always be with me.

There was a photo in The Columbian on Sept. 1, taken from above Sen. McCain’s flag-draped coffin, and I found it ironic that I first saw him from above, from my ship, the USS John S. McCain.

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