McCain Reflects on 41st Anniversary of His Capture

By: John Bentley
Topics: John McCain

(CBS)

From CBS News' John Bentley:

(LANCASTER, OHIO) – It was 41 years ago to the day that one of the most defining events in John McCain's life happened – he was shot down over Vietnam and taken prisoner, not to be released for over five years.

"It was a long time ago...this day that I intercepted a surface to air missile with my own airplane. It was no mean feat. Not a very good pilot, but – you know, I spent a long time, and the great privilege and honor of my life to this day is that I had the honor of serving in a company of heroes. I was no hero," McCain said. "I know what it's like to be deprived of freedom. And I know what it's like to love this country, and I know that the noblest thing that any of can do is serve a cause greater than our self interest. That's what America's all about, and that's what these young men who are serving are doing today."

McCain has said the experience made him more appreciative of his country and launched him into a life of public service.

"When I send the young Americans into harm's way, it will only be because America's national security is threatened," McCain continued. "I know the enemies we're facing, and I know who our friends are, and I know how to deal with both. I don't need any on the job training."

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by pga39120 October 27, 2008 5:26 PM EDT: This should make the news today, but Palin allowed a crowd to make racists remarks and she did nothing but continue to add to the fire. If we have a race war this election, she and McCain will be to blame.; Reply to this comment


by karela33 October 27, 2008 5:21 PM EDT: Oh my goodness. Doesn''t McCain realize yet how he cheapens himself and his experience by continually trying to use his POW experience as a campaign tool to guilt America into voting for him? Can you even imagine Dwight Eisenhower rubbing an old war wound at every campaign stop and using it to get votes. Can you imagine a John Wayne western where the Duke in frame after frame tries to get the locals to make him sherrif because forty years ago he was hero? Really? Honest? There''s just something about the act of using it like that that defiles it. Real heroes don''t rub their old wounds and tell stories of themselves as heroes to cadge drinks---or to become president. I am sickened by this behavior. It wouldn''t matter who did it. It would still be sickening. It is the epitomy of un-American and it cheapens all the proud heroes that America has produced since we landed on this shore. It''s pathetic. I don''t have the words.; Reply to this comment


by tachoma-2009 October 27, 2008 1:49 PM EDT: You will always be in jail just minus the bars....

Thing about that for a minute; Reply to this comment


by newslink October 27, 2008 1:37 PM EDT: This is what scares some American''s he can''t get the POW experience out of his mind. OK, we are Thankful you serve this Country. But what about my family members and others. Who never came home.What I think about when MCcain speaks of POW, will he want Revenge.And throw this Country in another War. Because of a Flashback....; Reply to this comment


by luvienne October 27, 2008 1:33 PM EDT: What about other Vietnam vets? Were any left behind?; Reply to this comment


by ohioboomer October 27, 2008 10:57 AM EDT: If you know all these things, John McCain, then hopefully you''ll know how it is to lose the election, too.

Nobody else has to die because of you and your policies, John McCain. Funny how you don''t add that bit of info to your resume.; Reply to this comment


by puppetry17 October 27, 2008 3:21 AM EDT: Obama with a nuclear arsenal at the head of
a hungry, angry, p.o.ed, slathering mob, ,
may be the most dangerous man since Adolf Hitler.

So u think PALIN with a nuclear arsenal is SAFE for America and the rest of the world ?; Reply to this comment


by puppetry17 October 27, 2008 3:13 AM EDT: McCain has milked his time as POW over and over again. We are grateful for your service, McCain, BUT that does NOT give you the ENTITLEMENT to the White House, which you think you do. Noone owes you the key to the White House. You kill any chance of getting into the White House when you pick Palin, and your rhetorics - "and I know that the noblest thing that any of can do is serve a cause greater than our self interest." ..the noblest thing you can do is grow up (I know you are 72) and stop lieing,a nd rein in your runaway VP candidate. if u do get elected (god forbid), she will be running the show, NOT you. And God save America and her people , and the rest of the world, should that happen.; Reply to this comment


by equalityrpt October 27, 2008 12:57 AM EDT: Freedom isn''t free....thank you John McCain for fighting for us!
He has proven his character under fire...a leader we can trust.

McCain/Palin 08!; Reply to this comment