A very inspiring story over at I love Jet Noise regarding Jeremiah Denton.
Oh, you don’t know him? His story is there, too.
Readers’ Digest published a book in the ’70s entitled POW. It was exceptional. I’ve looked for it in used book stores, but have yet to find a copy. The book had a tremendous impact on me. What the men went through as POWs in North Vietnam is almost beyond belief.
I got just a taste of it myself in Survival School. The POW training was only three days, but the longest three days I’ve ever spent. What you learn is who you really are. It was humbling.
I’ve known several former POWs during my career, and every one was an inspiration. Colonel Ed Hubbard was something of a mentor to me as a junior officer. He was always focused on the positive. He loved to talk about how much you can accomplish if you push yourself. While a POW, he and the man in the next cell began a competition to see who could do the most pushups. The first day, he was proud to report he did 51. His neighbor did over 200 the next day. That inspired Colonel Ed to beat him. And he did. He saw this as proof you can always do more than you think.
He is the unofficial jumprope champion of the world. The two men fabricated jumpropes and competed each day. The reason Colonel Ed holds the record is they were released the day after he set it. The other man didn’t get a chance to beat him.
Jeremiah Denton is such a man. And when he speaks, his words have real meaning.
When Kerry joined me in the Senate, I already knew about his record of defamatory remarks and behavior criticizing U.S. policy in Vietnam and the conduct of our military personnel there. I had learned in North Vietnamese prisons how much harm such statements caused. To me, his remarks and behavior amounted to giving aid and comfort to our Vietnamese and Soviet enemies. So I was not surprised when his subsequent overall voting pattern in the Senate was consistently detrimental to our national security.
We can all debate what Kerry did and didn’t do. From my perspective, this trumps all.
I get the distict feeling that the Veterans of this great nation are getting ready to assist the Kerry campaign in their impending implosion.
The guy was usless to his own men 30 years ago – His voting record over the last 19 years has been useless to those currently serving.
I’m thinking that the Veterans are going to make sure the voting public knows that if Kerry is Commander In Chief the security of this nation is in a lot of trouble.
On a side note –
I think I found the complete information on the book you mentioned. Unfortunately I couldn’t find anyplace to buy it.
Hubbell, John F., POW: a history of the American prisoner of war experience in Vietnam, 1964- 1973. New York: Reader’s Digest Association, 1976. Condensed version, Readers Digest, June 1976.
Comment by Larry Morin — August 23, 2004 @ 7:03 pm
Alex found several listing for me on the book. I just want to find it in a bookstore…I’m sometimes old-fashioned about things like that!
I know only one veteran who believes Kerry. Those of us who served during his tenure in the anti-Vet movement have long memories. I didn’t recall his name, but know him well, now. I hate charlatans, especially those who cause pain for their “brothers in arms.”
Comment by Bunker — August 24, 2004 @ 8:53 am
Bunker,
I believe this is the book:
http://www.powells.com/s?kw=A+history+of+the+American+prisoner+of+war+experience+in+Vietnam&pokey=skeptopotamus
This store is in Orgeon & you can order on-line.
Comment by Lorie — August 24, 2004 @ 11:18 am
Great post by the way. Very inspirational.
Comment by Lorie — August 24, 2004 @ 11:20 am
Powell’s is one of my favorites. My lovely wife lived in Portland for quite some time, and the store is the kind I would love to simply browse for days! I have ordered books from them on occasion.
Comment by Bunker — August 24, 2004 @ 11:37 am