Led by former POW, area GOP faithful rally behind McCain

STAUNTON — Retired Navy Commander Paul Galanti made the best of his time as a POW in Vietnam — all six years and eight months of it.
“When I was in solitary, I could picture textbooks page by page. I relearned everything,” said Galanti, who said he recalled his time at the Naval Academy and flight training in Pensacola, Fla.
On Saturday, the much-decorated Galanti rallied the area Republican troops from Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County, who gathered at Kathy’s Restaurant to support Galanti’s friend and fellow former POW, Republican presidential nominee John McCain.
The two men have known each other for decades, having bonded at POW reunions over the years.
“I agree with him on the big stuff. Country comes first and everything else comes second,” said Galanti, a Richmond resident who leads Virginia Veterans for McCain. “He will do all he can until his last dying breath to make this country right.”
Galanti likened a young John McCain to the Tom Cruise character in “Top Gun.” But his struggles as a POW and maturity have mellowed the 72-year-old Arizona senator, Galanti said.
“He won’t do something unless he means it,” he said.
Republicans were in an upbeat mood Saturday morning, buoyed by a Friday Rasmussen Reports tracking poll showing McCain with a 3-point lead nationally over Democratic nominee Barack Obama, and by the selection of McCain’s running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
“She is a game changer and people are excited,” Del. Chris Saxman, R-Staunton, said of Palin. Saxman is co-chairman of McCain’s Virginia campaign.
Saxman noted that, a year ago, McCain’s fortunes were not looking bright. But he said McCain has made a habit of coming back during his long military and political career.
“He’s not ready to give up. Not John McCain. He’s dedicated to this country,” said Saxman, who said McCain and Palin will reform energy, the economy and the country if elected.
Galanti called McCain “a beacon of hope” during his 26 years in Washington.