The Moving Memory of John McCain

Watching the services for Senator John McCain this morning I couldn't prevent the tears of pride that kept falling as I watched the beauty and grandeur unfolding in what is perhaps our nation's grandest hall, the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.

John McCain was not a perfect man, nor was he an evil man, both qualities applied to him by detractors and supporters. Among the many remembrances of his life recited by the leaders of our nation, the one that caught my attention was a quote attributed to McCain himself: "I've let my passion rule my reason."

Looking over my shoulder again this morning and still filled with pride for both my country and my love of the military, all that is good about our country was on display. Political enemies who were also sometimes loving friends.

I was a newly minted Washingtonian when John McCain was released from the Hell of his imprisonment in North Vietnam and came home a hero. Washington had its arms wide spread to receive him, and there he remained for the rest of his life. His influence remained intact, yet it never allow him to achieve his most cherished role as President of the United States.

Those ceremonies reminded me of the passing years and the good and bad in most of our lives. The good in mine outweighs the bad, although it is a tossup. I am always grateful for my years in the United States Air Force and the unimaginable role I had in the years following my decision to give up the twelve years served there.

I have known many of our country's leaders as personal friends. I will be writing about more of them in the near future. For now it is time for us to recognize our national flaws, do our best to repair them, and hope and pray for the nation's future. Rancor aweigh!

Dave Henderson was born in 1937 and lived his earliest years in Hickman Kentucky on the banks of the Mississippi River, once called the prettiest town on the Mississippi by Mark Twain. Hickman was blessed to have a Carnegie Library at that time. It was there that his love of reading and dreaming began. A highlight of his professional career was to have led the public response to General Westmoreland's battle with CBS over their TV program, "The Uncounted Enemy, A Vietnam Deception." He also served as the General's press spokesman during the following years leading up to and during his libel suit in Judge Pierre Leval's Federal District court in New York. Dave contributed his services and expenses during those years. He previously served on The American Spectator board of directors. He is the author of the book "The Arkansas Project: From the United States Jaycees to the United States Justice Department and Whitewater." To read more of his reports — Click Here Now.