War Hero

There has been a lot of talk in the media about John McCain's war record and what it means. Some have said that it doesn't make him a hero. Some have said that it doesn't qualify him to be President. Ok, so I agree that it doesn't automatically qualify him to be President, I can give them that one, but what of the other point? Does it make him a war hero? Is John McCain a real American Hero? Let's take a brief look at some of the major points of his record and find out.

You have probably heard that he was not in the top of his class at the US Naval Academy, and that is true, but he did graduate and become an officer in the US Navy, and ultimately a Naval Aviator, which they don't pick just anyone for.

When his ship was disabled in a fire, he volunteered for service on another ship. On his 23rd bombing mission over North Vietnam he was shot down in enemy territory. When he was found, he was beaten, and his shoulder crushed with a rifle butt. At this time he was taken to the infamous Hanoi Hilton, where he was denied even basic treatment for his wounds, until it was discovered that his father was a high ranking Admiral, at which time he received third rate treatment.

After years of imprisonment his father was named Commander of all US forces in the Vietnam area, and the North Vietnamese offered to release McCain, because they wanted to look good to the rest of the world, and because they wanted to demoralize the rest of the prisoners and show them that their officers would abandon them when they got the chance. McCain refused the offer of release, declaring that he would accept release only if all of the prisoners who had been captured before him were released as well.

After this he spent years in solitary confinement and endured several beatings per week, and was tortured repeatedly for refusing to sign statements for the enemy. He had signed one early on following several days of constant torture, but never signed another. As a result of all of this, John McCain still cannot raise his arms above his head.

I have made no secret that I don't support McCain for President, and am not likely to vote for him (I talked a little more about that yesterday) but let us be crystal clear on this matter. John McCain is a hero, and to say that he isn't is beyond reprehensible, and those who claim that he isn't are liars.

I understand the need to overcome the opposition when it comes to elections, but it is a disgusting tactic to try to claim that someone like John McCain doesn't deserve to be seen as a hero after the way in which he served our Nation.