John McCain will return to Denver on July 25 to speak about veterans issues before the National American GI Forum convention, officials said Tuesday.
The noon event marks McCain’s sixth trip to Colorado since he became the Republican Party’s presumptive presidential nominee. The longtime Arizona senator and Vietnam veteran will be the keynote speaker on the last day of the GI Forum convention, said George Autobee, a senior adviser to the forum.
The event, at Denver’s Grand Hyatt, is a $75-a-plate fundraiser for the Denver-based nonprofit organization, which advocates for Latinos serving in the military, veterans and their families, Autobee said.
The Democrats’ presumptive nominee, Barack Obama, also was invited. The Illinois senator is traveling in the Middle East next week and is not expected to attend, Autobee said.
The McCain campaign also announced that former U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell would appear on McCain’s behalf tonight as the keynote speaker at the Arizona Commission of Indian Affairs’ annual Arizona Indian Town Hall Dinner in Carefree, Ariz.
“John McCain has served with distinction on the Indian Affairs Committee since coming to the Senate in 1987 — twice serving as its chairman,” Campbell said in a statement. “And frankly, he understands tribal sovereignty, self-determination, and the myriad of tough issues facing Native Americans across this country.”
Chuck Plunkett: 303-954-1333 or cplunkett@denverpost.com
