Republican front-runner Sen. John McCain’s message found a home among the crowd gathered to hear him speak Monday afternoon in South Portland. And the former Vietnam War POW found friends in an audience filled with veterans.

“I wanted to see McCain up close and personal,” said retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. John Schlaack. “I wanted to see what McCain had to say in person, instead of what the television told me he had to say.”

The 71-year-old Durham man said McCain’s military background rings true with many veterans, like himself, who find themselves concerned with everything from health care benefits to the war in Iraq.

He was one of of several hundred steadfast Republicans who stood in support of the presidential hopeful at the Maine Military Museum.

“With the number of years he’s been in the House and the Senate, he has a much better grasp of what’s going on in the world and how to take care of it,” Schlaack said.

Raised in a family of Michigan auto plant workers who were staunch Democrats, Schlaack jokes that he jumped ship years ago when the dental and health care benefits he was promised by the government for serving 20 years in the military dwindled under Democratic administrations.

Schlaack said he was impressed by McCain’s commitment to explore alternative energy sources such as nuclear power, underwater sea turbines and wind power. He also supports McCain’s stand on Iraq when it comes to withdrawing American troops slowly.

He attended the event with fellow naval veteran Bill Barr, 81, of Lisbon Falls. Both men are members of the American Legion Post 66.

Barr, who served 19 months in the navy during World War II, said he thought McCain was very personable and down to earth. He added that he identified with the Republican candidate’s military background. And although Barr wasn’t sure what to expect from McCain going into Monday’s event, he walked away considering the Arizona senator’s message one that many Americans can relate to.

He also understands that one stop in Maine isn’t necessarily going to change minds.

“If you liked him, you’ll continue to like him. If you didn’t like him, you’ll continue not to like him,” Barr said.