I was in solitary confinement when my captors offered to release me. I knew why: if I went home, they would use it as propaganda to demoralize my fellow prisoners. Our Code said we could only go home in the order of our capture, and there were men who had been shot down before me. I thought about it, though. I wasn't in great shape, and I missed everything about America. But I turned it down.

A lot of prisoners had it much worse -- (cheers, applause) -- a lot of -- a lot of prisoners had it much worse than I did. I'd been mistreated before, but not as badly as many others. I always liked to strut a little after I'd been roughed up to show the other guys I was tough enough to take it. But after I turned down their offer, they worked me over harder than they ever had before -- for a long time -- and they broke me.

I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else's. I loved it not just for the many comforts of life here; I loved it for its decency, for its faith in the wisdom, justice and goodness of its people.

I loved it because it was not just a place, but an idea, a cause worth fighting for. I was never the same again. I wasn't my own man anymore, I was my country's. (Extended cheers and applause.)

I'm not running for president because I think I'm blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save our country in its hour of need. (Cheers, applause.) My country saved me. My country saved me, and I cannot forget it. And I will fight for her for as long as I draw breath, so help me God. (Cheers, applause.)

 

 

  

 
In August, 1944 while on her tenth war patrol USS FINBACK SS-230
was assigned lifeguard duty in the Bonins. She rescued 5 pilots,
one of whom was George H. W. Bush
Lt. Comdr. John S. McCain III April 24, 1973





John McCain: Experiencing War - Library of Congress Video Interview


U.S. Navy Lt. Commander. John McCain suffered
severe injuries in 1967 after being shot out of his A-4 over Hanoi
 captured and beaten by a mob.
Senator McCain because of his Admiral father
who was  offered a early release for
propagada father, he rejected
offers of quick repatriation.

Senator McCain visits his "BOX" where
he was caged some 20 years later with his son at
the infamous Hanoi Hilton.


John McCain GOP convention speech. "Nothing is inevitable here" Transcript
Excerpted

 I don't mind a good fight. For reasons known only to God, I've had quite a few tough ones in my life. But I learned an important lesson along the way: In the end, it matters less that you can fight. What you fight for is the real test. (Cheers, applause.) I fight for AmericansMy friends, I've been an imperfect servant of my country for many years, but I've been her servant first, last and always. And I've never -- (cheers, applause) -- I've never lived a day, in good times or bad, that I didn't thank God for the privilege. (Cheers, applause.) 

I was blessed because I served in the company of heroes, and I witnessed a thousand acts of courage and compassion and love.

On an October morning in the Gulf of Tonkin, I prepared for my 23rd mission over North Vietnam. I hadn't any worry I wouldn't come back safe and sound. I thought I was tougher than anyone. I was pretty independent then, too. (Laughter.) I liked to bend a few rules and pick a few fights for the fun of it. (Laughter.) But I did it for my own pleasure, my own pride. I didn't think there was a cause more important than me.

Then I found myself falling toward the middle of a small lake in the city of Hanoi with two broken arms, a broken leg, and an angry crowd waiting to greet me. (Laughter.) I was dumped in a dark cell and left to die. I didn't feel so tough anymore.

When they discovered my father was an admiral, they took me to a hospital. They couldn't set my bones property -- properly, so they just slapped a cast on me. And when I didn't get better and was down to about a hundred pounds, they put me in a cell with two other Americans. I couldn't do anything; I couldn't even feed myself. They did it for me. I was beginning to learn the limits of my selfish independence. Those men saved my life. (Cheers, applause.)

I was in solitary confinement when my captors offered to release me. I knew why: if I went home, they would use it as propaganda to demoralize my fellow prisoners. Our Code said we could only go home in the order of our capture, and there were men who had been shot down before me. I thought about it, though. I wasn't in great shape, and I missed everything about America. But I turned it down.

A lot of prisoners had it much worse -- (cheers, applause) -- a lot of -- a lot of prisoners had it much worse than I did. I'd been mistreated before, but not as badly as many others. I always liked to strut a little after I'd been roughed up to show the other guys I was tough enough to take it. But after I turned down their offer, they worked me over harder than they ever had before -- for a long time -- and they broke me.

When they brought me back to my cell, I was hurt and ashamed, and I didn't know how I could face my fellow prisoners. The good man in the cell next door to me -- my friend, Bob Craner -- saved me. Through taps on a wall, he told me I had fought as hard as I could. No man can always stand alone. And then he told me to get back up and fight again for my country and for the men I had the honor to serve with, because every day they fought for me. (Cheers, applause.)

I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else's. I loved it not just for the many comforts of life here; I loved it for its decency, for its faith in the wisdom, justice and goodness of its people.

I loved it because it was not just a place, but an idea, a cause worth fighting for. I was never the same again. I wasn't my own man anymore, I was my country's. (Extended cheers and applause.)

I'm not running for president because I think I'm blessed with such personal greatness that history has anointed me to save our country in its hour of need. (Cheers, applause.) My country saved me. My country saved me, and I cannot forget it. And I will fight for her for as long as I draw breath, so help me God. (Cheers, applause.)

(Audience chanting "USA, USA, USA, USA.")

My friends, if you find faults with our country, make it a better one. If you're disappointed with the mistakes of government, join its ranks and work to correct them. Enlist -- (cheers, applause) -- enlist in our armed forces. Become a teacher. Enter the ministry. Run for public office. Feed a hungry child. Teach an -- an illiterate adult to read. Comfort the afflicted. Defend the rights of the oppressed.

Our country will be the better and you will be the happier because nothing brings greater happiness in life than to serve a cause greater than yourself. (Cheers, applause, chants of "USA! USA!")

I'm going to fight for my cause every day as your president. I'm going to fight to make sure every American has every reason to thank God as I thank him: that I'm an American, a proud citizen of the greatest country on Earth, and with hard work -- with hard work, strong faith and a little courage, great things are always within our reach.

Fight with me. Fight with me. (Cheers, applause.) Fight for what's right for our country. Fight for the ideals and character of a free people. (Cheers, applause continue.)

Fight for our children's future. Fight for justice and opportunity for all. (Cheers, applause continue.)

Stand up to defend our country from its enemies. Stand up for each other; for beautiful, blessed, bountiful America. (Cheers, applause continue.)

Stand up, stand up, stand up and fight. Nothing is inevitable here. (Cheers, applause continue.)

We're Americans, and we never give up. We never quit. (Cheers, applause continue.) We never hide from history. We make history. (Cheers, applause continue.)

Thank you, and God bless you and God bless America. (Cheers, applause.)