Most Veterans who were heroes and suffered terribly don't ALLOW others to boast for them. Why does McCain? ?

Question

Look at all the World War II veterans who were heroes and suffered terrible permanent injuries but they were very humble and wouldn't dream of having anyone praise them and boast for them. A local veteran was a prisoner of war to the Japanese during World War II and lived in a prison camp for years. He would never allow people to boast about his heroism.

They humbly look instead and would insist on holding up their comrades who died and would not allow 30 plus years of fanfare.

What about all of the Vietnam Vets who kept returning to combat duty because they felt they could help to keep the others alive. That includes a friend who was a Green Beret and was air lifted out but went back to save the guys who served under him. He was reported as MIA and presumed dead to his parents for whom he was an only child. They told his unit it was a suicide mission and they expected only two to come back. They all came back. You won't hear him boasting or showing slides and stories or allow anyone else to do it for him.

Answer 1

Perhaps you missed the men sitting there, you know, the ones that were there with him.

Answer 2

I am working from memory here so if I miss one someone else fill in.

George Washington

Andrew Jackson

Tyler

Grant

McKinley

T. Roosevelt

Harry Truman

Ike

JFK

Nixon

Carter

I cannot say for sure about the campaigns of the 1800's but they tended to over do it even more back then. All of these past Presidents used their servive to some degree.

Your young and think all this is new...your wrong!

Answer 3

Being a veteran myself I can say that just because you personally aren't going to stand up and blow your own horn doesn't mean that your going to force someone else who feels very proud of you and says certain things.

If someone offers you a complement you say "thank you", not "keep your mouth shut".

I would think that if someone got angry about another person complements about them, more then likely it's because-

A. They feel extremely guilty about something and don't want it to be viewed as a positive,  or  B. It never happened, and they feel guilty because people are making a big deal out of something that never happened.

Your comment "most veterans" is flat out, not true. Most do not. Go to your local V.A and give out some complements and see how long it takes before someone tells you to keep quite.

Remember there is a difference in boasting yourself, and someone else speaking highly of you.

Answer 4

I'm watching McCain boast about his troubles in life on the tv right now and I see him scream, for no reason, about how we should embrace war. I was in the gulf in '92, I don't condone war like John does. I don't know why he is so proud. I did things that I don't like to think about, and he seems to rely on those horrible experiences. I choose to pick Americans over activists.

Answer 5

some people cannot relive the horrors of war.  and i fully respect that.  others need no attention brought to them.  running for office usually calls for an historical analysis which expresses ones character under duress.  people want to know how a president will react in crisis.

how he/she will stand up for principle and honor and exude courage when necessary.

my uncle is a prime example.  he faced horrific circumstances invading France on D-day right through Germany's surrender years later.  he was awarded several medals for exceptional bravery, one for saving a trucker from certain death when his overturned tanker caught fire and became trapped.  he suffered severe burns saving the man from a pending explosion.  he never spoke of it to any of us, until his daughter presented him a framed citation from the president 50 years after the incident.  needless to say he is my hero and i am very proud of him and respect him very much for all he has done for his country, his family and all his friends in the service.  

Answer 6

Every one who fought has a story. I am proud to have served. The rest is just something that happened.

Answer 7

JERSEY GIRL said it all

Answer 8

Because he's an opportunist. My father was a POW during WWII. He would NEVER speak of it.

AND to those of you who felt it necessary to "thumb's down" my father's service to the USA. SHAME ON YOU!

Those of "The Greatest Generation" served without expectations or need for praise.  (unlike McCain)

Answer 9

McCain is using his experience as a POW to exhibit his patriotism.  You have to remember that he is a politician, and all of the experiences in his life are tools for him to use, just as Obama uses his education to propel his career.  If he was a private civilian, he probably would not want to talk about his experiences.  POWs and those injured in action typically hate talking about their experiences because it is painful.  But he is using his in his race for the White House, and so he HAS to relive it on a daily basis.

Answer 10

Most of us do not boast, we acknowledge we served.

All gave some, some gave all.

And then some hid in the TANG,

Answer 11

I completely agree with SauSponte01!  I work with Veterans on a daily basis and can tell you that I hear stories all day long.  Some are sad, some humbling, some funny, some are pretty outlandish, and some I later find out are flat out lies.  But, every Veteran has their own way of coping with experiences in service.  

I remember serving with a Major who had received a Bronze Star.  She never talked about it and no one really knew.  (She received it before PSCing to our base.)  When I found out I told her thanks...she smiled and said, "Sure does make a person realize their priorities when bullets whizz by your head."  Then she walked off and never uttered another word.  That meant to me that she appreciated what I had to say, but sure didn't want to talk about it.

Please don't lump all Veterans into the same group.  

Answer 12

I don't think Mccain wants to but, its being used a strategies for votes. I've been in Iraq for 3 deployments and when people call me  a hero I am not trying to hear it. You fight for the person next to you whether you like them or not, brotherhood

Answer 13

Ok...well your friend is not running for president.  Also I would assume it's a touchy subject.  Also most presidents that have served the military always disclose their information about it to the public eye.  I wouldn't worry to much about it.  If he wasn't telling the truth...well that's a different story. cough hillary cough sniper fire cough cough cough.