Sen. John McCain’s support for the Iraq war and for offshore oil drilling convinced Sam Logan of Waldoboro to back the Republican candidate’s bid for president.

“I’m a true believer,” Logan said Monday during the Arizona senator’s public appearance at the Maine Military Museum in South Portland. “I’ve been sending contributions to McCain’s campaign since last September.”

Logan’s emphatic support of McCain was shared by many supporters, who waited for two hours or more to hear the candidate speak at an outdoor stage, near the tiny museum in Mill Creek Park.

Charles Todorich of South Portland described McCain as a “patriot” because of the candidate’s position on staying the course in Iraq.

“The nation is in a war against terrorism, which is the most significant threat in our history,” said Todorich, holding a copy of McCain’s memoirs, “Faith of My Fathers.” “John McCain is a patriot, and we need a patriot at the highest level of office.”

About 500 people turned out to see McCain in his first Maine visit since clinching the GOP nomination. The candidate and an entourage of Maine political leaders arrived at the museum grounds Monday afternoon aboard a sleek blue bus emblazoned with the message: “Straight Talk Express.”

McCain arrived at the event like a rock star. The luxury bus he rode

in was flanked by black SUVs with tinted windows and police cruisers with blue lights flashing and sirens blaring.

Country-rock music from speakers set up outside the museum set a lively tone. The crowd was implored to turn off cell phones, as the bus pulled into the tiny driveway leading to the museum and drove up behind the stage.

McCain’s appearance seemed carefully orchestrated and controlled by the large number of security personnel. Security staff, including the Secret Service, fanned out into the woods behind the museum as the candidate prepared to exit the bus. The bicycle and jogging path behind the museum that runs through the park already had been closed off.

McCain could be seen exiting the bus with other political leaders and some members of the press corps. People stood on tiptoe and craned their heads to see him. The candidate just had a few feet to walk to get onto the stage. There was little personal interaction with the crowd as his talk began, though McCain welcomed a young supporter onto the stage briefly.

South Portland police had increased staff for the event, and parking was banned at the museum. The lot at the nearby Hannaford’s was filled, as was parking at Mill Creek Shopping Center. The right, westbound lane of Broadway was closed between Cottage Road and Ocean Street, slowing traffic as motorists traveled next to the park. Protesters were told to stand across Broadway with their signs.

Members of the public had to pass through a security check and metal detector before entering the outdoor area where the candidate spoke. With the careful preparation and crowd control, the event seemed to go off without a hitch.

Accompanying McCain were Republican Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, who introduced the candidate to an orderly crowd gathered under large oak trees next to the military museum, which houses prisoner-of-war artifacts from Vietnam.

At Monday’s gathering, McCain sought to distinguish his position for the Iraq war from his Democratic rival, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, who has made ending the conflict a priority.

“I would rather be at the Maine Military Museum than any other place on earth,” said McCain, a former POW who was held captive for five years in North Vietnam. “I’m proud to see many individuals here who served their country in war and peace.”

Indeed, many war veterans turned out for McCain’s visit to the military museum, founded by Cape Elizabeth resident Lee Humiston, a renowned collector of Vietnam-era artifacts. McCain sought to highlight his own experiences as a POW and his deep ties to the military.

McCain’s grandfather and father served as Navy admirals. McCain was an aviator who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. During the Vietnam War, his plane was shot down while on a bombing mission. McCain was badly injured, refused medical help and tortured by captors.

McCain asked fellow war veterans in the crowd to raise their hats and hands to be recognized. He said he was honored and humbled to have served with them.

McCain told the crowd that he “hates war” and that veterans feel “most keenly the titanic struggle against radical extremism.”

He acknowledged the “great sacrifice” that American soldiers sometimes must make serving their country in combat.

McCain also told supporters that “we can and will succeed in Iraq.” His remarks were met with a big round of applause.

Jerry Jamison of West Bath was among the war veterans who listened to McCain speak. Like McCain, Jamison said he flew combat missions during the Vietnam conflict.

“I always said that if John McCain came to New England, I would be there to shake the hand of the next president,” Jamison said.

“He has impeccable character and the stamina to turn this country around,” said Jamison, who was a first lieutenant in the Air Force. “Any man who was a POW for five years and (who) was forced to eat from a tin cup and sleep on dirt floors has my vote.”

Rachel Woodstuff of South Portland also lauded McCain’s position on the Iraq war, saying it was a major reason for supporting him.

“Both my husband and I love his promotion of the Iraq war,” she said, holding her 41?2-month-old daughter, Rosslin. “We are huge supporters.”

Although McCain’s visit elicited a warm welcome from the crowd, a small group of protesters stood across the street from the park. They could be heard chanting anti-war slogans as McCain spoke.

Darcy Halvorsen, who chairs the Cumberland County Democratic Committee, showed up for McCain’s visit. But she stood outside the cordoned-off area and greeted some of the protesters who rallied against McCain.

“McCain represents George Bush in every facet of his administration,” Halvorsen said. “Obama represents new ideas and change.”

Members of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund also protested McCain’s visit. Skeek Frazee, spokeswoman for the group, said the action fund opposes McCain’s stance “against reproductive rights.”

McCain has described Roe v. Wade – the Supreme Court decision allowing abortion – as a “bad decision.” On his Web site, McCain advocates overturning Roe v. Wade. He says states should legislate abortion and that adoption should be advocated for unwanted pregnancies.

At the rally Monday, McCain also touched on his energy policy. McCain emphasized his position to end “U.S. dependency on foreign oil.”

He said the U.S. needs to create alternative energy sources – with wind, solar, “clean coal technology” and nuclear power. As president, the candidate said he would build 45 nuclear power plants that would employ 700,000 people. He also said he would seek to tap America’s rich coal reserves.

McCain also favors lifting the ban on offshore drilling, saying the decision should be up to individual states to decide.

His visit in South Portland capped a full day of campaigning in Maine. Earlier Monday, McCain attended two fundraisers in Kennebunkport.

The private fundraisers were at Nonantum Resort and at the summer home of former President George Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush.

Guests purchased tickets at $2,300 per person for the private reception at Walker’s Point and for a photo opportunity with McCain and the former first couple. Tickets to a general reception at Nonantum Resort started at $500.

In South Portland, doors opened at the museum at 12:30. Visitors had to pass through a metal detector before being allowed on the museum grounds. McCain did not arrive for his visit until close to 2:30.

After his public appearance, McCain had a private tour of the museum, which includes artifacts donated by former prisoners of war and their families.

McCain has been honored with numerous military awards and decorations that include the Silver Star and Bronze Star.

The candidate was first elected to Congress in 1982, serving two terms in the U.S. House. In 1986, McCain was elected to the Senate, and has served four terms.

Polls show McCain running behind his Democratic opponent. A Harris poll released this week shows Obama in the lead by 9 points among registered voters.

Sen. John McCain greets a supporter after he addressed a crowd during his visit to the Maine Military Museum Monday. “We can and will succeed in Iraq,” McCain said to applause during his speech in front of about 500 people. Sarah Bigney of Portland protests Sen. John McCain Monday afternoon as one of his campaign buses turns onto Broadway in South Portland. Sitting on her brother’s shoulders. Madeleine Prosack, 8 of Scarborough, shows her support for Sen. John McCain Monday afternoon in South Portland. Madeleine attended the event with her brother Joseph Prosack.