Alaska's governor received what the Chilkat Valley News described as "a hero’s welcome from the local American Legion post and celebrity treatment from Haines students and residents who crowded around her for autographs and handshakes during a two-hour visit April 29."
Gov. Palin was there to sign legislation which extends retirement benefits to 26 surviving veterans for their service to the Alaska Territorial Guard. The trip was a follow-up on an invitation to attend the statewide American Legion convention in Haines two weeks ago.
"Welcome to Palin country," said Gene Strong, who gave Palin a hug to cheers from the crowd. Borough mayor Jan Hill commented that many students whose hands Palin had autographed earlier at the school wouldn’t be taking a bath for a month. "We’re as thrilled as they are to have you here," Hill said.The governor praised the service of the territorial guardsmen, 6,389 civilian volunteers who served in the place of Alaska National Guardsmen who had been called into active duty overseas during World War II.
- JP
