Jim Spiri in Iraq

"END OF THE TRAIL" by Jim Spiri
October 29, 2008

...ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO--It's about that time now. The election is one week away. I've been pretty much kind of involved this time around and I thought I would share some final thoughts on what I've seen, what I've experienced. Remember though, I'm just a nobody that seems to somehow get right up front and center in the midst of some important things that all of us from time to time have a stake in. This is no exception. And I feel for the readers that a little "straight talk" about it all is forthcoming.

While in Iraq with the combat troops during the summer of 2007, I found myself watching those running for President of the USA. At that time, the surge was on, there was a whole host of candidates and at the bottom of the list of hopefulls was one man that everyone had written off. But among those I was traveling with, those on the front lines, the one at the bottom was at the top of their list. His name was John McCain.

I had known of John McCain for over 40-years dating back to the time he was shot down over North Viet Nam. I had decided in the summer of 2007 that I would begin writing about him from the perspective I had in the war I was in. I also decided at that time I would make myself known to him and to his campaign upon my return to the USA. At that time, I had no idea how I would accomplish this. But I knew I would do it.

By January of 2008, I found myself in South Carolina with the McCain campaign as a photographer of sorts. It was there I first met John McCain, up close and personal. It was also there that the folks around McCain were giving me a chance and listening to what I had to say about my time in Iraq with America's finest. I knew from that point on I was in good company. Once victory was achieved in South Carolina, I knew that the nomination was sealed for McCain and the general election would be a tough battle.

Fast forward to the summer of 2008 in New Mexico. By my calculations, New Mexico would be one of those "battle ground" states and I happened to be home now biding my time waiting for whatever comes next on the adventure horizon. Work was scarce, but I managed to keep busy on a few flight lines during fire season and some other things that kept me busy. But I also knew that John McCain would be visiting New Mexico several times and I once again made myself available rederning my services as best I could in support of a warrior from times past. This summer, I was present during five visits McCain would make to New Mexico and I was asked to take particular photos with unprecedented access to McCain. It was all very good.

Fast forward once again to today, one week before the general election.

The national polls, which I believe to be a tool of the big elite media to underscore the endurance and tenacity of Sen. McCain, tell us basically that this election is in the bag for Obama. I think back to the summer of '07 when once again the media pundants had written off McCain, just as he was surging. During my experiences with McCain and many of his associates, some of whom were fellow prisoners of war in Hanoi, I was reminded on more than one occassion of what it takes be a survivor in perilous times. That, along with other reasons is why I've chosen to side with this candidate to be the next Commander in Chief for all of us. I will not buy into what the one sided, big elite media wants us to believe, ever.

Throughout this campaign I have noticed repeatedly how biased the big three, (ABC, NBC, CBS) as well as CNN, have been in their support of Obama, and how given any chance, they riducule and negatively report everything against Sen. McCain. I learned decades ago, while I was a freelance photographer in El Salvador during the 80's, how blatently false almost every reporter/journalist is just to sell a story. It is why I chose a long time ago never to be a photographer or reporter for hire. I will say point blank to everyone out there reading, nothing the big media ever says is the truth. Especially now. They, the big media, have slanted this election to such an extent that I will forever speak up and let it be know just how I feel about all that has taken place in our faces. I have some credibility on this front, having seen it first hand as a combat photographer in Iraq. I went where most would never go, because the truth was with the grunts on the ground and what was being accomplished was never being shown to the general public. I can attest to this and no one can deny it.

I cannot and will not believe that Barrak Obama is the best man for the job of President of the USA. Many years ago, I learned that "birds of a feather flock together". The ones that Obama began his political rise with are the most unsavory folks in the country. I cannot understand why this one point alone has not been brought forth to the general public. Tony Rezco, Jerimiah Wright, the scandalous Chicago political machine, Bill Ayers, a devout domestic terrorist, and a whole host of others to boot. When I compare the ones that served with McCain to those who influenced Obama, I become steaming mad at how the big elite media refuses to take notice. To me, it borders on treason, or at the very least, orchestrated insurrection. I'm completely sick of it. And I refuse to give up on a man that I know is a patriot and deserves to be the next Commander in Chief, that being, John S. McCain.

On the matter of Vice Presidental selections, I have some comments that I want to bring out. Sen. Joe Biden, of Delaware, has been around a long time in the Senate. He was chairman of the Foreign Relations committee and has a background in world events. However, he said it best during the primary season when he point blank told the voters that Barrak Obama has neither the experience or ability to run this country. I couldn't agree with him more. On the other hand, McCain's selection of Gov. Sarah Palin was exactly the right move. Palin brings to the table a freshness and tenacity that has been long overdue in Washington. Her core values are exactly what the "regular" citizens of this great land identify with. It is an absolute travesty how the big elite media gave her an unfair shake. They knew from the get-go that the only way to defeat her was to completely character assasinate her and they have done their utmost to prove that to us all. I'm flabergasted at how the so called feminists out there chose to say that a mother of five cannot handle work and the homefront. At the same time they never brought out that Nancy Pelosi has five children and is in line of succession should something happen to the President and Vice President. I just want to say to all of them, "you cannot have it both ways". Gov. Sarah Palin was a wise choice and I'm sure she'll be in the scene in the years to come. Many thanks to John McCain for bringing her to the forefront. No one else out there had the guts to do so. Once again McCain has put country before himself.

In the end, I do not know how the election will turn out. One thing I know for sure though is my experience. I was allowed to be brought into the very front row seating of the McCain campaign. I had nothing to offer except my personal experience on many things. I never contributed a dime of my own money. I never registered as a Republican; they knew I was an Independent. I never had to get a haircut. And I was introduced to and befriended by some of America's most beloved and revered heroes. And, everyone knew I was just a nobody that has a voice in America. This is what it is all about.

John McCain is not now and never has been George W. Bush, in any way, shape or form. On the contrary, he stood up to Bush when Bush made many wrong calls. As McCain said in the final debate to Obama, "...if you wanted to run against George Bush, Sen. Obama, you should have done it in 2004..." But, it's 2008, and one week away from the general election. I'm not sure how McCain will fare in this one, but I know this for sure, he never gives up, and neither will I. This is what patriots are all about.

I look forward to your comments, emails, and phone calls.

Sincerely,

Jim Spiri
jimspiri@yahoo.com
505-898-1680

July 10, 2008

It’s all about oil, at least that is what many would have us believe. I tend to usually take a different view on things when I’m not exactly sure what on earth to believe. Such is the case these days when I fill up my little pick-up truck and hand the cashier a $50 bill, and get no change. Let’s take a look and ponder a few choices before I need a $100 bill next week.

Four years ago while home on R & R from Iraq, I made a decision to purchase two vehicles that get over 30-miles per gallon each. It was costly, but turns out it was a wise decision. Glad I did it. My suggestion to everyone is that if you can do without a gas-guzzler, downsize as soon as possible. I do not think that gasoline is going to go down in price. On the contrary, I’m preparing for $7 a gallon gas, or higher. Just the way it looks to me that it is going. Adapting.

On the campaign trail lately, there has been lots of talk about drilling our way out of this so called oil shortage. Obama says no to off shore drilling, McCain says we need to consider more wells in the ocean. No one is talking much about ANWR, (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge) up in Alaska, and quite frankly, I hope it stays that way. Here’s why.

Firstly, without inundating the readers with all kinds of graphs, charts, figures, calculations, etc., I choose to just speak (write) in terms most all of us can understand. I know that currently there are literally hundreds of wells drilled both on land in the US as well as in our territorial water boundaries that are not producing one drop of oil for all kinds of reasons which with a little research one can figure out the answer is money. Secondly, there is a real push in the US these days to cut back and tighten our belts which has for the most part resulted in if not a decrease in consumption, at the very least a stemming of the rate of increase in consumption. Simply put, demand is adjusting to supply, or at least it looks that way at the moment. Thirdly, just this week, T. Boone Pickens, the Texas oil and gas baron has made a real timely media blitz telling all of us that this time we cannot drill our way out of this problem. He has proposed a rather large investment into wind generation which for an oilman is a big step. I think he’s on to something. Improvising.

But let’s come back to Alaska and chat a bit about ANWR. I have noticed the oil companies are also doing a media blitz these days. If one looks deeper into the reasons behind the blitz, it is not hard to figure out that what they are saying is, “give us Alaska, we’ll give you all the alternatives you want and maybe a penny or two drop in gas prices at the pump. I for one don’t think I’m going to buy into that one right now. Maybe later, but not now.

I’ve been to Alaska several times in years past. I find the state by far the most beautiful and most intriguing of all 50-states, including my own home state of New Mexico, which I cherish. The first thing one notices all throughout Alaska is how untouched most all of it is. I have yet to go to the far north extremes of Alaska, but, I’ve been close. I do not think now is the time to disturb it and for good reason. I’m a realist. I know that eventually those J. R. Ewing types will get their hands on it. But if they were smart, they’d think about what I’m saying for a moment.

I’m for more off shore drilling in our territorial waters. I believe the technology has already proven itself and new ideas are forthcoming resulting in safe methods to increase our domestic production levels. We’re already in the ocean in a big way as far as oil wells go and increasing the number of wells would indeed help, as long as the owners decide to bring the oil they’ve hit up to the surface to the market place. The same can be done and should be done with the oil fields in the lower 48 states. Just in Colorado and Wyoming alone, the potential in the oil shale reserves are mind boggling. All that is needed is good old fashioned American ingenuity, like we had when we decided to land a man on the moon in 1969. We can do it. Overcome.

The reason keeping Alaska waiting in the wings with its reserves in ANWR is a good idea is strictly economic from my point of view. We are a nation that over the last few decades has watched its’ savings go down the tubes. Basically, the typical family has no savings for a rainy day. Holding the oil in Alaska in the “bank” so to speak, is the best leverage we can use on the global oil market. We don’t need it right now. What we need is to utilize what we have available to us such as the off shore potential that we can readily access much faster than anything ANWR would produce. It’s the conservative thing to do. It’s a smart move if you look at it through an economists eyes. We know it’s there, we know we can use it, but why spend it up when there are other, less expensive options out there that have already proven themselves?

If we do indeed go for more off shore drilling then at the same time we need to build several more refineries and update the ones currently in use. It is a well known fact that a great deal of the problem is refinery related rather than supply limitations which is what we are bombarded with daily by the PR firms assisting the big oil companies. One of these days Iraq is going to come on line in full throttle oil production allowing us to eventually leave the area for the most part, maybe. I say let the Kurds control Kirkuk and the supply of oil will flow. They are the wisest ones in the mix in the region. Let Iran make one false move and they won’t have the capacity to produce one ounce of oil. In the mean time, let the wells in the lower 48 pump to overflowing amounts. Open up more off shore sites. Let American ingenuity loose and watch what we can come up with. Listen to T.Boone Pickens on this one.

And by golly, let’s just leave Alaska alone for a rainy day. Treat it like a really good savings account. Let technology advance to a point where the environmentalists are happy and the methods for getting all that oil up there are perfected to such an extent that even the oil companies will be happy. It’s the smart economic thing to do. Don’t spend the reserves yet. The day will come fast enough. In the mean time, let the caribou run wild, let the wildlife flourish, leave the tundra alone. That oil ain’t goin anywhere. It’s been there for a long, long time. Who knows, maybe with all this global warming going on it will turn into an offshore site anyway and we’ll be more than prepared by then….!

Sincerely,

Jim Spiri
Jimspiri@yahoo.com

There are three things I’ve learned in my travels around the globe. Well, maybe there has been a few more than three but for today’s purposes we’ll only bring to light three that seem important to me.

1) You don’t tug on Superman’s cape.
2) You don’t spit into the wind
3) And you don’t pull the mask off the old “Lone Ranger.”

After years of living by this so called “survival code”, I came to the conclusion that it works. In every circumstance I’ve ever found myself in, be it good, bad or indifferent, keeping an eye on the basics kept me from all kinds of calamities. So keeping that in mind, I will now do something I’ve not done too often. Some would say I do it too much, but I know the truth and it continues to set me free. It is time to take the gloves off.

It’s the first week in July 2008 now. A little over four months until the general election which will determine our next President. It’s a big one this time, perhaps the most critical one of my entire life. Or maybe it is just seeming that way to me for my life now is entering its 53rd year. I have a lot at stake as do the rest of us. Is a matter of fact, the entire nation and perhaps the world itself does too. This time last year, in a past writing, I wrote a piece directed at all the contenders for President at the time to listen to what I had to say. Two of the contenders’ campaigns at that time listened and responded. One of those contenders is no longer in the race. The other is still in the race and is the Republican (presumptive) nominee.

The Democratic nominee, Sen. Barak Obama, and his campaign, have never contacted me. Therefore, I found it fitting at this time to put out there for all to read what “Jim” has to ask and say. In keeping with my integrity, I will be respectful, but I’ve chosen to take the gloves off and address some hard questions. So…..

Dear Mr. Obama…..You are a man that wants to be President of the United States and Commander in Chief over our military which includes my son. How is it at 46-years-old, which is seven years my junior, you feel that you are prepared for such a daunting task? This is the first time a man running for President is now younger than me. I know how little I know and I know the many places I’ve been and the many, many life experiences I’ve had, and I’m not running for President. I know the constitution says you only need to be 35-years-old, but when that stipulation was written, I believe life expectancy was shorter than it is now. I’m a little perplexed on your lack of life experiences.

Mr. Obama, you and I have a couple of things in common. Both of us did not grow up with our biological fathers. Both of our fathers were from foreign lands. Mine from Italy, yours from Kenya. My father was much darker skinned than my mother, as was the same in your instance. I lived in Hawaii for a long time as an adult, you lived there as a young person. You have two daughters, and I do as well. When I fill out certain questionnaires that ask about my background, I always write in “other”, and then beside that I put the word, “American”. Which box do you select?
The reason I ask this question is many people in your campaign make a strong point that you are black. Even recently last week, you made a strong statement in an intimidating way saying that the Republicans are going to scare the voters reminding them that you are black. Your words exactly were, “oh, and did I mention he (Obama) is black?” I’m a little perplexed on exactly what you meant by this.

Mr. Obama, you have been speaking quite a bit about Iraq and the war there. I was wondering how many times you’ve been to Iraq since you seem to speak about it so much? My understanding is that you went there once for a very short time. Where exactly did you go while in Iraq? I spent nearly three years there I don’t recall ever seeing you there. I saw lots of politicians while I was there and spoke to almost every one of them. But I was loading the wounded at that time onto C-141’s and C-17’s in Balad. Maybe you were down in the Green Zone, hunkered down with some other important people who never got outside the wire. I know I didn’t see you in Mosul on the days I was on patrol with the 1st Cav, as RPG’s and IED’s were going off. I’m sure I didn’t see you on the streets of Fallujah while I was with the 6th Marines getting shot at. Maybe you saw some Marines at the embassy in Baghdad. I know I didn’t see you in Taji when I was on missions with my son. I’m really beginning to wonder where exactly in Iraq did you go and how do you explain being able to say so much and seen so little? I’m very perplexed by this.

Mr. Obama, you talk a lot lately about the economy. I have to say it is in bad shape. Especially the housing industry. At the moment, my housing situation is ok. But as we all know that could change in a heartbeat for all of us. But probably not you. You seem to have received a bit of a shady deal from your friend Tony Resco. I myself have never heard of the kind of deal you got under the circumstances you got it. And when it came to light about Resco, you seemed to have distanced yourself from him, especially now that he’s a convicted felon. I do not know with any clarity what your plan is to solve the housing crisis and the mortgage fiasco that is front and center to many Americans across the land. All I can figure out is that perhaps you are subtlety suggesting we all get our own sweetheart deal with your friend and big time contributor Tony Resco. And then, we too can drop him like he’s hot. I’m very perplexed about your plan for the housing crisis in light of your own shady dealing concerning the purchase of the home you currently reside in, in Chicago.

Mr. Obama, you have expressed a desire to become real friendly with the likes of those enemies that are out to destroy our way of life. It seems that you would like to have a big group hug with the leaders of Iran, North Korea, Syria, Al Queda, and a whole host of other folks that seem hell-bent on killing the rest of us. I’m not exactly sure where you came up with this idea. Perhaps it was from Rev. Jeremiah Wright, another person you had 20-years of dealings with that you seemed to have recently thrown under the bus when the negative publicity about him came to light. Seems to me that you have negated the saying, “walk softly and carry a big stick”, and replaced it with, “walk as loud as you want and carry no stick at all”. This perplexes me a bit.

Mr. Obama, how is it when you come to my state, New Mexico, you come all the way here and not let anyone attend except thirty women from a fancy coffee shop all lined up in front of TV cameras for some kind of image stunt? What exactly was the point you were trying to make because I for one didn’t get it. Is a matter of fact, every time you come to my neck of the woods, I’m never able to get a word in edge wise. Perhaps I’m not of the right demographic. But didn’t I hear you say on many occasions that you want to be the President of all of us? Maybe you or your handlers were afraid I’d ask too tough a question and your response or lack thereof might not look so good to the national TV audience. Either way, I’m perplexed.

And finally Mr. Obama, I can’t for the life of me figure out how you just seemed to pop on the political scene out of nowhere. I can only conclude that there must be a whole lot of folks out there like Oprah, Resco, Soros and others that are continually throwing lots of money your direction in order to keep that “rock star” image on the front pages of all the papers and in the spotlight on the evening news. I have noticed that you seem to get lots more media attention than your opponent. I wanted to ask you about the pledge you signed about keeping with your promise to go with public campaign financing, as your opponent is doing. I guess when it comes to certain matters involving millions and millions of dollars and what that money can buy, it makes no difference whatever you signed or whatever you promised. There seems to be a pattern here and it is very, very perplexing to me.

Senator Barak Obama is a very smart and subtle politician. He has risen to a place that very few on the planet ever get to. But how he got there and how he intends to remain there is quite bothersome and very perplexing to me. He now lives in Chicago and represents the state of Illinois in the US Senate. Anyone from Chicago would have known the lyrics to a song that spoke of how to conduct oneself while traveling around.

You don’t tug on Superman’s cape. You don’t spit into the wind. You don’t pull the mask off the old lone ranger and……
You don’t mess around with Jim…!

Sincerely,
Jim Spiri
Jimspiri@yahoo.com

June 26, 2008

Baseball is a wonderful sport. Field of Dreams is among the best movies ever made. A correlation between life on the diamond and life in the real world, has many parallels. But among the best plays ever, which happens on very rare occasions, is the triple play. As a teen, I was able to experience it only a couple of times during summer league. In the real world lately, it seems as though we are on the verge of a big time triple play. Only this is not a game.

I thought it fitting this week to call this article “Triple Play”. It’s been a busy three days around here. Just so all of you know what I’m talking about, my son and his wife became the parents of three boys on Monday the 23rd. That’s right, triplets. Jesse, Jacob and James arrived between 1018 hrs and 1022 hrs on Monday morning. They came early, but it was expected that would happen. My son, the US Army Helicopter pilot and his wife are rather beside themselves at what now is a daunting task ahead of them. But with much care, assistance from family, and lots of prayer, all will be fine. It is just a long road ahead that will be traveled one step at a time.

In other news this week….the Bush administration seemed to have upped the tempo a bit about going for its own triple play. As things heat up continually in Afghanistan, most recently due to the blazing jail house attack that freed 1100 or so “bad guys” including around 400-Taliban fighters, lots of attention has been in that direction by the media. And, just as Iraq has been being reported that immense security improvements have been made in the past year, and definitely such is the case, only last night more casualties were reported with the loss of three US Army soldiers in Mosul by IED. And still yet, another report this week told of meetings between US and Israeli officials who were said to have discussed the option of attacking Iran. Israel has recently been doing high profile maneuvers and letting the word out that it has no intention of letting Iran have nuclear capabilities. US officials are said to have been urging restraint on Israel’s part, however most observes have concluded that joint planning for such an attack is already in the works. And there you have it folks, out at first, out at second, and perhaps out at third. We’ll see.

But for the record, my job as a catcher was to cover home plate, no matter what the consequences.

What I enjoyed most about being a catcher on the field was that I had to know every possible scenario for each and every pitch that was thrown to the batter. I had to know it before it was thrown, and be prepared for whatever transpired. As I mentioned earlier, there are many parallels between baseball and real life. And herein lies the point of this writing.

I’ve never forgotten about how it was that we went into Afghanistan back in 2001, which seems like a life-time ago. It was the first time as a father I experienced having my own son sent to war. It was only a couple of months after having just lost our oldest son, a Marine. Things were still very raw. Then, in 2003, the nation saw fit to go back into Iraq and finish something that had twelve years earlier been incomplete. It was the second time as a father I saw my son off to war. And now, it’s mid 2008, and I look towards the horizon and see storm clouds brewing once again, only the target is Iran. I know once again, should the commander in chief tell my son to “saddle up”, my son would be ready in a heartbeat for his fifth deployment in the past seven years, only this time, the next generation on deck, would be awaiting his return.

It is a very difficult play, the triple play, but it can be pulled off, but not without perfect coordination and excellent timing. And remember, it is very rarely pulled off successfully , something akin to triplet boys being born naturally without using any artificial measures.

Covering home plate, the catcher must be willing to hold onto the ball and never drop it, even when some opponent is barreling around third racing to plow into the catcher as he awaits the throw from his teammates to tag the runner out before he scores. Never let the opponent score and the last line of defense is the one covering home plate. Such is the case in this global triple play that is possibly about to take place. There were lots of errors leading up to the events of 9/11. After the disaster of the twin towers, we as a nation, and rightly so, embarked upon an “easy out” on first. Come to find out, the cave dwellers weren’t so stupid as we suspected, errors were made at Tora Bora, and just when we thought the bottom of the ninth was going to end the game, we’ve all been witness to many extra innings.

There were severe errors made leading up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003, at least that is what many believe these days in 2008. Then, once again, when we all thought the bottom of the 9th was in view, like the banner telling us, “Mission Accomplished”, it became clear that it had gone into extra innings.

That brings us to today.

I remember living in Australia for a few years when my kids were little. They learned the sports games down under, which I never could actually figure out completely. The closest thing to baseball was cricket. What I couldn’t stand about cricket was the fact that the game took an unbelievable amount of time to play, sometimes days, just for one game. It made no sense to me. I think I can speak for the rest of the fans covering home plate across the nation when I say, “if we’re going to another game, I hope it does not go into extra innings”.

A good catcher hones his skills by learning from all the errors made in previous games. I figure that’s one reason there’s 162 games in a professional baseball season. There is a real possibility that Iran has pushed the envelope too damn far. In many respects, I feel they’ve crossed the line way more than once. I don’t want to see extra innings anymore. I love having triplet grandsons now. And I always liked being a part of a successful triple play as a young baseball player. But if we go to war directly with Iran, even though we’ve already been fighting them in the streets of Iraq for many years, those in charge, all the way up the chain of command, better execute it perfectly this time, for if they don’t, there just may not be a next season.

I for one will cover home plate with my entire body, soul and spirit, whatever betides.

Sincerely,

Jim Spiri
Jimspiri@yahoo.com ne 26, 2008

By Jim Spiri
June 11, 2008

It’s June now, 2008. I’ve been back stateside for over half a year now. During that time I was able to visit several states, gave a few talks, saw the kids and grandkids, and tried to settle into the day to day routine of what happens next. I’m pondering the situation that all of us are facing these days and I find myself quite startled at what is going on all around me. Let’s take a look at what I mean.

Continue reading "WHERE TO GO FROM HERE" »

January 31, 2008

It is the last day of January, 2008. Five days before what has been termed, "Super Tuesday". The race for President on both sides of the aisle is by no means over yet, but a clearer picture of who will be in the final running is beginning to emerge. I've noted a few observations and feel that now is the time to say some things and "stir it up" a bit. My views are solely my own and are not necessarily shared by everyone reading this. But then again, I am only one, simple citizen and call it as I see and experience it. It may be a personal "career suicide", but as one politician has said lately, I too put what I feel is best for the country far above my own personal gain.

Continue reading ""Why Romney Cannot Win"...by Jim Spiri" »

January 28, 2008.

In my youth, I was told the saying, "birds of a feather, flock together". It had been impressed upon me that one could be defined by the company one keeps. These days I find that to be the case. In mid January, I was able to be in the company of some fine folks. Although I cannot lay claim to any of their respective achievements, I can however say that I am a better man today, than I was before, just for having been in their presence.

Upon invitation, I had gone to the "Low-Country" of South Carolina, to witness a battleground of sorts in the Republican Presidential primary. Going back 28-years, no candidate had gone on to receive the nomination without first securing South Carolina. It would be a tight battle with many looking back to eight years earlier when then Gov. George W. Bush, of Texas, would run a down and dirty campaign against Senator John McCain, R-AZ. Bush of course went on to victory in South Carolina in 2000 and subsequently became the Republican nominee for President and eventually beating out former VP Al Gore, in the controversial election of 2000. Eight years later, John McCain had returned to South Carolina this time packing a stronger punch than before and determined to meet any negative campaigning against him, head on. South Carolina would be pivotal.

My reasons for wanting to be present during this primary were varied, but one reason in particular stood out among others. I knew that this time South Carolina would attract a large number of notable people many of whom I held a high degree of respect for and had longed for the opportunity to meet. As an historian of sorts, I felt more than a desire to attend, I felt more or less compelled. One thing led to another, and I found myself in the midst of national heroes who are living legends whom I had only been able to read about over the years but now would have a chance to speak with face to face. I would remain front and center for the next ten days in South Carolina and take advantage of every opportunity as a child turned loose in a candy store full of dreams that come true.

Although I had known for many years of Senator John McCain, I had only seen him once before, from afar, while I was a guest of the US Senate in 2003, during the passage of a bill in Congress in honor of my late son, 2nd Lt. Jesse James Spiri, USMC. Now I would be photographing him at every event in the Charleston area leading up to election night. It would be very busy. During times between events, I would find myself at campaign headquarters mingling with people from all over. And it was here that I began to witness the "flock gathering" around one of their own. Some were quite well known, others were hidden, unknown gems. But all were patriots. I was in good company.

One of the first persons to stand out to me was a man named Joe Albanese. He and his wife had volunteered to work the phone banks in the days leading up to the election. This job is mainly delegated to the younger crowd, but Joe and his wife had determined to give it all they had for "their guy" running. Joe is a Korean War veteran. He is originally from New York, but had retired to South Carolina many years back. He is well past retirement age but has the stamina and determination of a man half my age. As I watched Mr. and Mrs. Albanese work the phones, I observed a finely tuned duo, working as one. She would line up the calls and read out the numbers to Joe. Joe would make the call and give his pitch. The two would work hours on end, every day. They were volunteers.

On another day, a big gentleman was brought into the headquarters and introduced to the staff and volunteers. His name is Orson Swindle. I had known of this man from historical accounts about him dating back to his time as a POW in North Viet Nam. He is a personal friend of Senator John McCain and the two have much in common from their long years of imprisonment in Hanoi. Swindle is detailed much in McCain's book, "Faith of My Fathers", and is noted to be among the strongest resistors of all the POW's during that time. His legendary strength and willingness to sustain sever beatings by his captors are well documented in McCain's book. Swindle was shot down on his last scheduled combat mission (his 205th) and spent nearly seven years in captivity before being released in 1973. Listening to this man and hearing his reasons for supporting "his man" in the race, was in itself, a lesson in living history.

On one morning, I was invited to come into downtown Charleston by a man named Charley. We linked up on in an old historic part of town on a street called, Rutledge. I parked my car and got into his. It happened to be a "Jag". It was nice. We drove a short distance to an old hotel where we waited for the person we would be taking back to where my car was parked, outside a synagogue. The man we were picking up was Senator Joe Lieberman, of CT. Lieberman, the 2000 VP candidate on the democratic ticket with Al Gore, was in town stumping for Senator McCain. Upon meeting Senator Lieberman, I was introduced and the two of us rode together in Charley's car. I spent some time talking with him and did an audio interview with him asking questions concerning troops in Iraq and long deployments. He gave me straight up honest answers and assured me his full and unconditional support for all the troops in Iraq including my own son, who had just returned. Lieberman, who shrugged off his own party's primary defeat last year and ran as an Independent, returned to the US Senate in full support of Gen. David Petreaus and the surge operations in Iraq over the past 12-months. Upon our arrival back at the synagogue, I was invited in to take photographs of his talk. It was a unique experience and once inside I met many more people whose lives and experiences captivated me for the rest of the morning. One in particular, Mr. Pinkus Collender, a Holocaust survivor, spoke with me at length about events that had shaped a great deal of his life. I was humbled.

In the final days leading up to the eve of the election, I would find myself invited to several different events where Senator McCain would be speaking. All were large gatherings but the final one before the election on the 19th, was Friday evening at the USS Yorktown. This would turn out to be a very special night. The USS Yorktown is now a museum harbored in the bay in Charleston. It is a wonderful, historical exhibit detailing the events of the Jimmy Doolittle raid on Tokyo in 1942 as well as many static displays of aircraft from years past. For the history buffs, it is for sure a site to see. McCain chose to wrap up his final stop on the Yorktown and it brought out a huge crowd, all of them patriots. I was now in the company of America's finest spanning several generations.

In short, the experience on the USS Yorktown was the highlight of my journey to the "Low Country of South Carolina". I was able to snap photographs of the entire event, up close and personal. I had been brought to the center of the best that America has to offer. One person that night stood out among many. He was young Iraq war veteran named Pete Hegsteth. He was on the stage with all the guest speakers. He told the crowd of his time in Iraq and how his generation desires earnestly to continue carrying the torch of freedom as those had done before him. Listening to him speak, one could hear in the atmosphere the likes of Jimmy Doolittle and his 16-crews cheering in the clouds above. The event would soon end and the huge crowd would slowly disperse. The night would come to an end.

As I was gathering my things and walking down the stairs of the hangar deck, I would take my time and take one last look behind me at this famous ship now a museum. The night was over. I found my rental car in the parking lot and decided to sit there and give my son a call. I had raised him as a patriot who had seen much war in his own right. We spoke about where I had been and what I had been a small part of . It was a good conversation. I found my way back to where I was staying at my friend Mike's house. I stayed up late that night looking over my photographs and making some notes. The next day was the primary which Sen. John McCain eventually won. There was a victory speech the following night and the day after that, I was back on a plane headed to Albuquerque, NM. This short journey was now over.

In short, there is just too much to really explain adequately what all I saw and experienced. I had just been in the company of many an American hero. I was all the better for having had the opportunity to experience it. Politics is a strange bird. But what I realized through this short time was that it was not the political world that I had enjoyed. Rather, it was the gathering of simple American patriots who had all been a part of very profound things. I, a lone freelancer, was allowed to be a small part of this historical time, even if for what seemed a fleeting moment. But in the end I can say that it is true, "birds of a feather do indeed flock together" from time to time. For my honest experience seems to have been being borne on the wings of one mighty eagle.

Sincerely,

Jim Spiri
jimspiri@yahoo.com

McCain speaking in South Carolina

Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina...Mr. Calligan, left, is seen next to the mobile memorial he made to his son-in-law, who was killed in combat in Afghanistan, in 2007. Mr. Calligan came to hear Sen. John McCain speak at a rally in Mt. Pleasant, SC on January 11, 2008. Sen. McCain took time out to specifically console and speak with Mr. Calligan.

Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina...Republican presidential hopeful, Senator John McCain R-Arizona, is seen up close during a campaign stop in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. McCain is seen with Senator Lyndsay Graham, R-SC in background.