Patriotism was defined by John McCain

When I was pretty young, my stepbrother got his draft notice and my stepmother was freaked. She was even talking about sending him to Canada. The Vietnam War was going on and she didn’t want her child going off to that war.

My father served in the Korean War as a jet fighter pilot and didn’t talk about his time over there much. I know he wasn’t wild about bombing bridges from one conversation we had when I was older. Still, he wasn’t happy about the talk of his stepson going to Canada to avoid fighting.

I guess he decided his only son wasn’t going to be a conscientious observer—so he took me on a walk to explain patriotism as he understood it.

He told me that war was scary and did terrible things to people. There was nothing pleasant about it, but as an American citizen, it was my duty to serve the military when my time came up.

I was pretty young, but I understood what he was saying.

The United States is a young country in relative terms and it came to be for many reasons. It has had growing pains and has made mistakes. Probably more than I care to recount. But writing that, I am proud to be an American. Living overseas made me even prouder. We have put forth role models to the world on so many occasions, famous or not, that an American can’t help be proud when we do just and good things.

So, at an early age, it never even occurred to me that I would not go into the military at some point.

Fate had different plans. The United States became an all volunteer army and, with no wars on the horizon, I decided my patriotic duty was to work in politics. I have to admit to being fairly idealistic then.

I put my years in early and got out in about the same amount of time as if I had served in the military. I toyed several times in joining—as my sister did at age 21. Truthfully, the women I dated made it clear going into the armed services would not help our relationship. Also, to be honest, I don’t take orders well without asking why first.

As I said, my sister did join and I could not have been prouder that one of my father’s progeny went to the armed services. She served eight years in the Air Force.

Through her and my father, I would have to say I am fairly pro-military although I have lived in places where the military seemed overly omnipresent on a daily basis. It is a little scary seeing machine toting soldiers walking down civilian streets.

I am a registered democrat and have been since I could vote. There is an independent streak in me that is not scared to vote across party lines if I feel the other party’s candidate is more qualified.

One of those instances was when John McCain ran for president against Barrack Obama. I was especially impressed with him when he refuted an audience member who said Obama was a Muslim. The poise of him setting her straight was something I could not help but admire.

His captivity in Vietnam was especially inspiring.

He was a high worth prisoner having a father who was an admiral. Hell, not just an admiral—but the supreme commander of the Pacific Fleet. When McCain refused to be sent home before others who had been captured earlier, he was a hero to me and my family.

He was exactly the type of person the United States should be proud of.

That was even more evident when I listened to Henry Kissinger give his eulogy. It was a bit halting here and there, but when Kissinger told of McCain’s gratitude for not bringing him home another time when the North Vietnamese offered as a goodwill gesture, I was amazed that this man was determined to stay a prisoner unless the others before him went home too.

I found tears going down my cheeks as Kissinger told of McCain’s integrity and honor.

I wish I could say I would have been just like him and refused to come home if I had been in his position. I can say the story once again inspired me to see McCain as a hero. I know he is not the only veteran to be like this—though they are were probably not as high profile as McCain was.

Americans have great capacity to rise above politics and do what is best for the country. I have witnessed it over the years through stories and actual interactions, but sometimes it’s easy to forget.

I didn’t agree with McCain on all his beliefs about how the country should be run, but I never doubted he loved this country and he did what he thought was best.

So this democrat wants to take the time to say people like McCain make this country great and people like me proud they were alive to serve it so well.

I truly mourn his passing as, I bet, quite a lot of Americans do.

May you rest in peace John Sidney McCain III.

You have earned it.