John McCain in America by Heart, by Sarah Palin

On Homeland Security: Vietnam POW: Ashamed of signing false confession

Most Americans are by now familiar with the outlines of the story of John's 5-1/2 years of captivity in a North Vietnamese prisoner-of-war camp. But what most Americans may not know is that John McCain doesn't consider himself a hero. Why? Because, under constant beatings and torture, and after repeatedly refusing to be released before Americans who had been imprisoned longer than he, John signed a confession written by his captors. Here is how he describes the scene:

"I couldn't rationalize away my confession. I was ashamed. I felt faithless, and couldn't control my despair."

It is impossible for me to truly understand how John endured what he did, much less how he could feel shame for breaking under the cruelty of his captors. But such is the remarkable character of this man and the men and women of our armed forces.

Source: America by Heart, by Sarah Palin, p. 50-53 Nov 23, 2010

The above quotations are from America by Heart: Reflections on Family, Faith, and Flag by Sarah Palin. Click here for other excerpts from America by Heart: Reflections on Family, Faith, and Flag by Sarah Palin. Click here for other excerpts by John McCain. Click here for a profile of John McCain.
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Page last updated: Dec 12, 2018