The Villages Daily Sun

THE VILLAGES — Villager Pete Wagner has something in common with presidential candidate U.S. Sen. John McCain.

Like many Americans, both men served in the Vietnam War.

And when McCain spoke in The Villages on Sunday, it did not slip Wagner’s mind that it happened to be Vietnam Veterans Day.

“I always liked him because of Vietnam,” Wagner said.

Wagner, who lives in the Village of Poinciana, said he believes McCain understands war because he lived through it.

McCain’s views on enlisting and veterans care especially resonated with Wagner.

“He’s not going to throw someone into battle unless he knows what it’s about,” he said. “He’s not going to be frivolous with a human life.”

John Miles also knows something about war — he served with McCain in Vietnam and was seated in the front row at the McCain rally.

“It was great (to see him in person). It really was,” Miles said. “He looked wonderful.”

Having Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., and Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., on stage with McCain to answer questions was a big plus for Miles.

“I enjoyed the fact that there were three of them,” he said. “It reinforced it (the message).”

Although Miles, a part-time Villages resident, did not get the chance to talk to McCain much after the rally, he did get his photograph taken with his wartime comrade.

“‘Good to see you, old friend,’” Miles said McCain told him.

Shirley Desicco, who lives in the Village of Woodbury, felt those same sentiments about McCain.

She arrived at the Savannah Center at 1 p.m. in order to score great seats to see the senator.

The long wait, she said, was worth it.

“I think it (the event) was great, wonderful,” Desicco said. “I like him even more now.”

Even though Desicco is still trying to decide between McCain and Gov. Mitt Romney, she said McCain left a great impression on her.

“He has passion for doing the right thing,” she said.

Rachel Katz is a reporter with the Daily Sun. She can be contacted at 753-1119, ext. 9265 or rachel.katz@thevillagesmedia.com.