McCain deserves honor and respect

To the editor:

In reference to the recent passing of John McCain, I honestly do not know what saddens me more — the actual passing of the man, or the almost immediate reaction I’ve seen on various social media outlets, to the news of his passing. 

I’ve seen words like traitor and turncoat and many not fit for publication in your fine daily paper. 

To say I personally always agreed with his political stand on issues would not be true. Admittedly, McCain could be quite a polarizing figure. He prided himself on his image as a maverick who did not always toe the party line. 

The hatred spewing forth about him really shows just how so many cannot separate politics from legacy. 

In numerous interviews, McCain was self deprecating and quite humble, but the one thing he always expressed was a deep-rooted love for this country that he served for over 60 years. He returned to Hanoi, Vietnam, late in life, not a bit bitter over his atrocious treatment by his captors.

How many of these keyboard commandos on social media could endure what he did and not come out bitter and full of hate?

I really wonder. 

The memory and legacy of McCain and his record of service deserve far better.

I, for one, will remember him with the honor and respect that he most certainly deserves.

Respectfully,

James D. Fulks

Dunkirk