A Moment in Time
Today I watched the services for John McCain and it brought me back in time. I'm now in my 78th year, so I've seen quite a bit of America over those seven plus decades.
My first remembrance of a political figure was President Harry Truman (Give'em hell Harry). In a small town in northern Minnesota (Hibbing) my father piled all of us in a rickety old car and drove 75 miles to see the train that Harry Truman would be arriving in Hibbing on. We were standing on the side of the street when Mr. Truman's car passed us. My father saluted Mr. Truman (Dad was a Marine vet from WWII). I waved and I swear Mr. Truman looked right at me and smiled. A little Indian kid off the rez and the President smiled at me.
I enlisted in the U.S. Army in April of 1959 and served on active duty until September of 1965.
I was home on leave when JFK was assassinated in November of 1963...I was in a state of shock, this was America and someone killed our president. How could that be. Thus started a era that was violent and some of the best were taken from us. Bobby Kennedy and MLK...Each time it seemed that a little of America died with them. Each had a strong affect on me. The turmoil of the 60's and 70's changed America, and I lived through it all. Twice in Vietnam and then to protest on the streets of America, searching for equal treatment for all Americans.
Through all of this my faith in America, with her warts and great moments, stayed fast. I was, in my own way, determined to add my voice in whatever way I could. To defend America and to call her our when I believed that a policy was wrong.
Richard Nixon and his resignation of the Presidency was a watershed moment in America. America stood strong and recovered. Ronald Reagan and the era of the 80's led to a strong economy and the fall of the Berlin Wall stood out as something that I thought I would never see.
Then came the 90's and more politicians, both great and not so great. Through all of it America stood strong.
I met President Clinton when he visited our facility in Southern California. In by business career I dealt with many politicians. Some good some not but all darn interesting.
9/11 was shocking to say the least. But again America stood strong. The wars and bitterness that seem to have taken us in directions that I'm not in favor or, but this is America and we will continue forward as a country.
Which takes me to today and John McCain services. Although I didn't agree with all Senator McCain's political views I saw him as a true patriot.
So as I contemplate America today, I'm reminded that through the decades that I have lived we have produced many great men and women. John McCain was one of them.
It may be awhile before we see the likes of John McCain again.
John McCain was just another Navy officer, who was given all kinds of breaks because who his family was. Sadly he spent several years as a POW, and then had a rather undistinguished career in politics. Then he ran for president and failed, blaming it on his running mate, who wasn't even invited to the funeral. He would have made an excellent Democrat because, in the end, he couldn't or wouldn't support Republican principles. The Democrats newly found affection for him didn't exist back when he was running for the presidency. It's very apparent why they idolize him now.
The real hero's are the ones who paid the ultimate price and did not return from foreign wars, or the vets who struggle with medical conditions and injuries to this day. This might not be a popular view but I know many, many patriotic Americans who share it with me.
His political career was VERY distinguished and he struggled with injuries his entire life. Many people are not aware of this because he never whined about it. John McCain is a polar opposite man to the cowardly crybaby currently pretending to be a president.
That is your opinion Greg, which I disagree with.
Yes, there are members of my family that were KIA, WIA, Purple Heart recipients and some that were awarded medals for bravery under fire. My father and son being two of them.
And I know many patriotic Americans who share my view with me and many of those patriotic Americans are veterans.
My dad fought in two wars. There was no guarantee he would come back from either of them. Any person who willingly gives their life for the service of this country is a hero. Those who died or are suffering are paying an additional price for their patriotism.
I am with you on this. Not withstanding that I am retired Navy myself, I truly believe John McCain led a very honorable military career. I may not have agreed with him on many political issues, but I still respected tremendously as a politician and a American icon. RIP Senator McCain.
Exactly Doc.
Especially from that side of the aisle.
He was a strong man and a maverick. I admired that. He really did it his way and he loved his country. What more can you ask for?
BF, Galen, Lenny, I posted this article to give a bit of perspective to seven decades of living in America and the ups and downs. Senator McCain, IMO, was a true patriot. For me it isn't political, it's as an America viewing another America and his service to our country.
And yes, veterans can use as much help as they deserve and that is a lot. I for one, being a vet, and coming from a military family can relate to that as well as anyone.
Thanks for the rebuke Kav, sometimes I forget what an article is truly about.
After returning home once released from the NV prison it would have easy for John McCain to withdraw from life.
Instead, he took a stand for things he believed in and respectfully pursued those things.
Not a lot could do the same.
McCain, to me, was an enigma. I never cared for his politics, but I had tremendous respect for his service, especially those 5 years as a POW. Mostly, to me, he wasn't even on the radar. I've never had any real interest in political discourse because it never meant anything positive to ordinary folks trying to survive with odds stacked against them. Yet... in the past few months I did take note of the fact that John McCain no longer adhered to strict "party-line" politics. Occasionally, he even stood on the side of his opposing party, something I found courageous. He also had close friends on both sides of the aisle.
While his death came as no surprise, not to him nor to anyone else, the nastiness I've seen among "talking heads" on TV, the vituperative slams and shameless name-calling, has left me shaking my head in sadness. The man was no angel. But he served his country, he paid a steep price for that service (as a POW), and those facts simply cannot be discounted. I don't agree with 99% of his policies or politics, but I do respect what he gave up for his country, and I do wish that people who hate him could, at the very least, respect the loss his passing means to his family and friends and stop the bad-mouthing at least until he is buried. I don't think it is asking too much to ask that.
Mr. McCain, rest in peace. You weren't perfect; but, then, who is? So, R. I. P. And thank you for your service.
Both my Father and Grandfather fought in WWII. My Grandfather was only two years under the conscription age and joined the Marines. My Father joined the Air Force but was later transferred to the Army when the Army Air Force was separated into the Army and Air Force. Before joining the military he was with the CCC, and was one of the first group sent to Muroc Air Base in So Calif. He operated the large graders that cleared the runway on the dry lake bed for the RAF to train their pilots. The Muroc Air Base was later renamed to Edwards Air Force Base after the war. Both my Father and Grandfather were Disabled Veterans.
My Brother joined the Navy and was stationed aboard a Destroyer Escort. But, when the US engaged in the Vietnam war he was assigned to a PT Boat that patroled the various canals under Viet Cong attacks. During a rescue mission to protect 12 Marines trapped on an islet by the Viet Cong, all of the crew of the PT Boat were killed in action but my Brother and the Coxswain. My Brother had to take over as gunner when the gunner was killed. All of the Marines were safely rescued.
My Brother and the Coxswain were awarded a Purple Heart. An award that he never told anyone in our family about for many years. The entire ordeal of that mission and its results was something he did not want to talk about until the thing with the 'Swifties" came about. It was the first time any of the family ever heard about his own Vietnam experience.
He as also wounded in that mission and was a Disabled Veteran.
My Great-Grandfather was a Scout for the Union Army and was captured by the Confederate Army and sent to Andersonville, where he ultimately died from torture, starvation and dysentery.
It is not hard to understand what made John McCain a Hero. Even though some may fail to do so.
Wow! I am so impressed with your "family history." Wow. Simply, Wow!
I come from a military family, too. My father was in the Air Force, a Captain at the time I was born. He was a radar navigator on a B-52, and retired as a Colonel. My stepfather was in the Navy. He was wounded in action and had a metal plate in his head for the rest of his life. He was a sweetie! My uncle, mother's brother, was in the Army. He retired as a Colonel and then joined the CIA. I was in the Air Force, and Operating Room Specialist. I got out just as the Vietnam War was beginning. I lost more than a few friends in that war.
I may never agree with the need to be at war all over the world, but I have tremendous respect for anyone who serves in the military. Those folks are ready to die to protect our country... and their political leanings are irrelevant. Thanks, Raven, for sharing your family's proud history!
Thank you Bitey. I also had an Uncle on my Father's side who was also a Scout, but, for the South during the Civil War. He walked in the battle of Vicksburg.
You have a good many family members who have also served to be proud of. Including yourself! I had wanted to join the Navy as well, but, life took me in another direction. You are truly to be admired for your service, Bitey.
Awwww, Raven, you are so sweet!
Hi Bitemore,
My father was also in the Air Force, as a Captain. He was a navigator and bombardier on a B-52. Have you ever been in one of those ? They're huge but have very small space for the men, the bombs took up almost all the space.
Nice to see you here on NT.
Howdy, Pat!
I got to "tour" a B-52 when I was on leave in 1962, stationed (still) at Lackland AFB (for Operating Room Specialist School). At the time, my father was stationed at Roswell, NM, a quick bus ride from Lackland. So, between Basic Training and OR Spec school I spent 2 weeks with my father, in Roswell. He got me a tour of the B-52... something that wasn't usually permitted, but he had pull, and I was in the Air Force, too! Heck of an impressive airplane!
My first remembrance of a political figure was President Harry Truman (Give'em hell Harry). In a small town in northern Minnesota (Hibbing) my father piled all of us in a rickety old car and drove 75 miles to see the train that Harry Truman would be arriving in Hibbing on.
I know this is a bit off-topic, but . . .
Apparently at least two* famous men were physically in Hibbing at one time-- Truman...and a kid named Robert Zimmerman. Kavika apparently you lived 75 miles away-- so I suppose you never met Robert? (I believe you are only about a year or two apart in age...?)
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*Well, maybe 3 if you count Kavika! :^)
Actually I know Bob and he owes me big time for saving his scrawny nerd ass in Chisholm MN in 1957. I'm a year older than he is.
In fact I posted a story on that encounter on NT a year or so ago.
Here are a couple of more fairly famous people from Hibbing. Kevin McHale and Roger Maris.
How did you initially meet him?
I meet JFK when I was in High School. He was on a train, making stops on the South Shore of Long Island. (Or as the locals call it "Lon Guyland"). It was in one of two adjacent towns I now forget which it was (either Wantagh or Seaford?) I arrived early, hoping to see him up close. I was lucky-- it was right at the tracks, and he was right in front of me. I managed to brierly shake hands with him and say something to him.
I had planned what I would say if I actually got close to him. But in the excitement I had forgotten what words of important advice I would give him-- so we briefly shook hands, looked him straight in the eye, and uttered these words of wisdom-- I said:
Good Luck!
We moved from Warroad and Red Lake to Hibbing since my dad got a job in the iron ore mines. I met him when we moved to the outskirts of Hibbing, it was called Pool Location. Dirt streets, wooden sidewalks if there was a sidewalk a company town.
One of the stories about him in the 60's was that he was raised by black folks in Chicago..That would give us a laugh. It would have been much truer if they said he was raised by Red folks in Cass Lake...
How did you save him ?
Indeed I did Pat.
Incidentally, Wantagh is an Indian name. Lon Guyland (AKA "Long Island") has many, many towns named after the original inhabitants-- many Indian tribes. I remember also: Merrick (I believe "Merrick" is British but Merrick LI is named after the Meroke Indians) Massapequa, Copiague, Manhasset, Matinecock. and there are many many more.
But how ? Or is that private ?
Oh no, not private.
Four of us (Indians) were joy riding in our rezmobile. At that time some of the towns there were ''sundown towns'' Indians not welcomed....We were were always ready for a fight and well armed. Anyhow we were cruising down the main street in Chisholm, about 8 miles from Hibbing when we saw a commotion on the sidewalk. So we stopped up the block to see what was going on. It was a bunch of bullies pushing this skinny nerd around...Being good citizens (also looking for trouble) we waded into them with hickory ax handles, the weapons of choice of Shinobs and proceeded to beat the shit out of the bullies...We told Bob to head on home cuz he was gonna be a target. (at this point we had no idea who he was) he told us he lived in Hibbing and his ride had deserted him. So we took him to Hibbing and dropped him off in front of the local Pizza house. When he got out of the car he said thanks, I owe you and my name is Bob Zimmerman.
Very cool !
I'm sure glad you saved his "scrawny ass" lol.
Hahaha, we did save his scrawny ass. My contribution to the world of music.
I was home on leave when JFK was assassinated in November of 1963...I was in a state of shock, this was America and someone killed our president. How could that be. Thus started a era that was violent and some of the best were taken from us. Bobby Kennedy and MLK...Each time it seemed that a little of America died with them. Each had a strong affect on me. The turmoil of the 60's and 70's changed America, and I lived through it all. Twice in Vietnam and then to protest on the streets of America, searching for equal treatment for all Americans.
We are more or less of the same generation!
I'll never forget the day JFK was shot. I was an undergraduate at UNC Chapel Hill. I has just left my dorm one afternoon, on my walk to Franklin Street (past the statue of "Silent Sam" ) when many loud cheers came up from the dorms.
I had heard lots of loud cheering from the dorms often during our sporting events-- but this was a weekday afternoon-- there was no game being played then. I asked the first person I meet why was there all the cheering? He said it was because JFK had just been shot!!!
(This strongly affected me-- for some of the reasons you mentioned. But also because in High School I had been a political activist, leading local kids my age in supporting JFK's campaign for president-- in fact I had actually met him briefly and shook hands with him....)
WTF...how horrible is that...
At the time JFK was president my Father worked for the National Capitol Parks and Planning Commission.
He took care of the trees on the White House grounds and was responsible for standing up the Christmas trees.
In winter time JFK himself would invite my Father into the White House and offer him a couple shots of whiskey.
How far we have come.
Well by that time I was used to that sort of thing-- after all it was North Carolina!
Cool!
(Heck, no famous person ever offered me any whisky!)
Sad.
Irish whiskey I hope...Very cool story, dave.
I don't think it is anything personal. More of a right place at the right time situation.
Thanks Kavika.
I don't know what kind. It was whatever JFK likes because he would talk with my Father and have a few drinks with him.
I don't drink distilled spirits often, yet when I do I am a fan of Irish whiskey. I'll take some heat on this, but I prefer it over Scotch.
True.
But one reason I was used to it was that I deliberately put myself in the thick of it. I was very active in the Civil Rights movement in Chapel Hill. At one point this heated up there-- there was a march down the main St of the town (Franklin St) every night-- and actual civil disobedience (sit ins).
I believed you mention RFK. I never did meet him. As JFK's Attny General, he did more for the Civil Rights movement than many people today realize. A person can do their job-- but then heir are people wh do it enthusiastically! And RFK really did-- throughout the South the Klan hated him-- he was all over the KKK and made their lives difficult.
However I did actually meet 2 "famous" (well, one was infamous) people then. I met MLK Jr. and along with a few other activists had a conversation with him in a "Negro" Baptist Church before the rally and march! He has an amazing energy!!! I also met-- the Grand Dragon of the North Carolina KKK! (I didn't know who he was at the time-- he was dressed in coveralls and a flannel shirt-- no sheet). He was where he shouldn't have been-- I took his picture.
I later found out he had put out a hit on me, but I manged to to escape through some quick thinking on my past (which is atypical of me-- typically in a situation of danger I think I would now freeze up).
Just as horrible as those who want Trump to be assassinated. (My objective non-American opinion as an observer with no skin in the game, no matter WHO the POTUS is or whatever his/her politics.)
Are you by any chance "The Second Most Interesting Man in the World"?
Stay thirsty my friend!
The way he's talking about Canada I think you do have skin in the game, Buzz.
That brings up an old topic of debate-- food for thought. Are words of violence equal to actual acts of violence?
Murders of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner
Emmett Till
Birmingham Church Bombing
(I didn't know anyone involved in any of those, but just mentioned them because of my involvement in the Civil Right Movement and remember reading about them-- my memories of what I read are still quite vivid).
Yet another example of "Whataboutism" on NT!
P.S: During the Civil Rights Movement I did have "skin in the game". I now realize I act ually risked my life on several occasions ) although ironically I didn't actually realize it at the time-- I was so idealistic-- so young and so foolish!) Looking back I am now amazed at how naive I was at the time!
I've had ''skin in the game'' since the 1960's...Not as physical as I was back in the day, but I still support in anyway I can equal rights for ALL citizens.
I wasn't naive, after two tours in Nam innocence was long gone and it was replaced by anger and a willingness to risk it all for equal rights.
LOL, That is funny.
LOL, too funny.
Since I have no desire to return to Canada as long as the "kid" Justin is in control, because of the damage his policies are doing to my country, (besides I would not feel as safe there as I am in China, due to current events because of his policies), the main concern I have is what bullying Trump will do that will devalue the Canadian dollar, because I rely on my Canadian pensions for my living expenses.