Profile Of John McCain part 1: Who is John McCain?

Photo of John McCain at the Hanoi Hilton

Photo by [Flickr User]. (License: Creative Commons Attribution)

Who is John McCain?

The essence of who we are cannot help but be shaped by our past. Shaped by those who have raised us, by those whose paths we have crossed and ultimately shaped by events critical and crucial in our life. It is fitting and necessary that we explore and delve into the past of those who wish to be our leaders, of those who wish to be President. It is in that context that I will attempt to answer the question: Who is John McCain? This is not meant to be a biography. It is merely focusing on the events and people that may have helped shape the man who desires to be our next President.

John McCain III was literally born into the military on a United States military base in Panama. His father was a man who would become a four-star admiral. McCain was also grandson to a naval hero in World War II, who also was a four star admiral. How could he not follow in the tradition of two such men, also named John McCain.

"The relationship of a sailor and his children is, in large part, a metaphysical one. We see much less of our fathers than do other children. Our fathers are often at sea, in peace and war."

"But our fathers, perhaps because and not in spite of their long absences, can become a huge presence in our lives. You are taught to consider their absence not as a deprivation, but as an honor. By your father's calling you are born into an exclusive, noble tradition."

John McCain in "Faith of My Fathers" page 51

As a child, McCain lived the gypsy life often associated with one who was raised in a military family. In his book "Faith of My Fathers," McCain describes his early schooling as "irregular." In some schools he was learning lessons he had already been taught. In others schools, he was already behind and lacking in the knowledge other students had. It was in such an environment that a young John McCain would first become a fighter.

"Like my father and grandfather, I lacked as a boy the physical size to appear imposing on first acquaintance. Together with the challenges of my transient childhood, my small stature motivated me to prove quickly to new schoolmates that I could stand up for myself. The quickest way to do so was to fight the first kid who provoked me."

John McCain in " Faith of My Fathers" page 107

But, throughout his transient childhood and early irregular education, there was one thing that John McCain was certain of. He would be attending the Naval Academy.

"My father never ordered me to attend the Naval Academy. Although I am sure we must have talked about it from time to time. I cannot recall the conversations. There are no scenes in my memory of sitting in my father's study listening to him expound on the virtues of an Academy education, or explain the reasons why I must follow him to Annapolis as he had followed his father. Neither do I recall any arguments with my parents about wanting to consider an alternative future. I remember simply recognizing my eventual enrollment at the Academy as an immutable fact of life, and accepting it without comment."

John McCain in "Faith of My Fathers" page 111.

To say that John McCain did not excel at the Academy would be a massive understatement and he would be the first to admit it. McCain's career at Annapolis was a life filled with demerits and under-achievement. He graduated fifth from the bottom of his class. But, despite academic evidence to the contrary, his days at the Academy imbued in him a sense of honor and purpose. He became part of the tradition of the military and looked forward to his chance to test his mettle as his father and grandfather before him had.

Upon graduation McCain went on to flight school at Pensacola Florida. He would become a naval pilot, eventually ending up in Vietnam. On the morning of October 26Th, 1967 McCain flew on his twenty-third bombing run over North Vietnam. He was shot down and ejected from his plane. His parachute brought him down in a lake in the middle of Hanoi. McCain had broken both arms and his right leg. He endured five and a half years of confinement, deprivation and torture at the hands of his captors. At one point he was offered a chance to be released. But, honor dictated that those who were captured before him be released first. John McCain refused and remained a prisoner until his release on March 15th, 1973.

In prison, I fell in love with my country. I had loved her before then, but like most young people, my affection was more than simple appreciation for the comforts and privileges most Americans enjoyed and took for granted. It wasn't until I had lost America for a time that I realized how much I loved her.

John McCain in "Faith of My Fathers" page 254.

McCain would recover from his injuries and regain his flight status. In 1977 he was assigned to the Navy's Senate liaison office. That post became his introduction to politics. Through his duties, he became acquainted with the major politicians of the day, such as Senator John Tower from Texas and Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater, who would later become influences in his life. It was the beginning of his second career as a public servant. He retired from the navy in 1981. In 1982 he won his first election to Congress from the State of Arizona. In 1986 he ran for Barry Goldwater's seat in the Senate and won.

End of part 1.

Part 2 is here

Part 3 is here

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