This is the real life story that reads like a movie. An Admiral’s son becomes an aviator, gets captured in battle and becomes an American Legend. He became the gladiator that defied the Emperor to save the nation.
Let us honor him, because now he is free. CBS News called John McCain “One of a Kind”… and I think a lot of other folks would agree. The Vietnam experience crystallized the importance of doing what’s right. It wasn’t easy but he persevered and came out of that situation a changed man.
The military schools and basic training teach and preach about duty, honor and country because all warriors need guidelines to follow. When he refused an early release he was practicing the “code of conduct”. The goal is to survive honorable while resisting the enemy efforts to be exploited.
Article I – I am an American fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.
Article II – I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.
Article III – If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and to aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.
Article IV – If become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.
Article V – When questioned should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give my name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the upmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statement disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.
Article VI – I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and the United States of America.
When he got into the Senate he warned about the rising power of special interest in government because it would cause a breakdown in the democracy on which this nation was built. When he walked into the Senate Chambers after surviving brain surgery and did his thumbs down, it went against the party and the man who wanted to be king.
During the presidential race against Senator Barack Obama, he corrected a woman in the audience who called Barack an Arab. Senator McCain said, ” No ma’ma, He is a decent family man, citizen, that I just happen to have disagreements with”.
When Barack was elected he asked his audience to refrain from booing and said, ” I had the honor of calling Barack Obama to congratulate him on being elected the next President of the country , that they both loved.” Sometimes the real measure of a man is shown by how he responds to his victories AND his defeats.
In the coming days and weeks, many things will be read and said about the man and the life he led. He called it an extraordinary life and many veterans might also agree.
H.G.M.
Hackett Global Marketing 