Kicks off "Service to America" tour with personal speech in Meridian, Mississippi, where he highlights his family roots, ties to the military going back to General Washington's army.
"I have lived a blessed life, and the first of my blessings was the family I was born into. I had not only the example of my distinguished male relations, and their long tradition of military service. I was fortunate to grow up under the influence of strong, capable, accomplished women..."
Read full text of remarks here.
Plus: McCain talks to a fourth-grade teacher whose son died in Iraq, thanks her for her son's service. Read the pool report here.
