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Ask a Vet - Muse
Author: TriSec    Date: 08/28/2018 09:34:22

Good Morning.

It's been nine years since our beloved Senator Kennedy went to meet his maker. Much has been made over the last few days of Senator McCain suffering the same fate from the same disease on the same day. That's a strong coincidence enough, but I'm finding it harder to process the fact that it's been nine years already since Senator Kennedy left us.


Completely shattered that morning, you may remember this blog from this desk.

Given the increasing balkanization of American politics, I know I have few differently-winged friends these days. But I do know that somewhere in this vast land, there are those that are as crushed by McCain's passing as I was by Kennedy's.

Looking back on their histories, it seemed like the two would have been natural adversaries, yet they somehow managed to forge the unlikeliest of bonds outside the Senate chamber. It wasn't that long ago, but doesn't it seem like a different era now?

Given the nature of the disease, Senator McCain had a long decline, and knowing what the inevitable outcome would be, he had the wherewithal to write the nation a farewell letter.


"My fellow Americans, whom I have gratefully served for sixty years, and especially my fellow Arizonans,

"Thank you for the privilege of serving you and for the rewarding life that service in uniform and in public office has allowed me to lead. I have tried to serve our country honorably. I have made mistakes, but I hope my love for America will be weighed favorably against them.

"I have often observed that I am the luckiest person on earth. I feel that way even now as I prepare for the end of my life. I have loved my life, all of it. I have had experiences, adventures and friendships enough for ten satisfying lives, and I am so thankful. Like most people, I have regrets. But I would not trade a day of my life, in good or bad times, for the best day of anyone else's.

"I owe that satisfaction to the love of my family. No man ever had a more loving wife or children he was prouder of than I am of mine. And I owe it to America. To be connected to America's causes – liberty, equal justice, respect for the dignity of all people – brings happiness more sublime than life's fleeting pleasures. Our identities and sense of worth are not circumscribed but enlarged by serving good causes bigger than ourselves.

"'Fellow Americans' – that association has meant more to me than any other. I lived and died a proud American. We are citizens of the world's greatest republic, a nation of ideals, not blood and soil. We are blessed and are a blessing to humanity when we uphold and advance those ideals at home and in the world. We have helped liberate more people from tyranny and poverty than ever before in history. We have acquired great wealth and power in the process.

"We weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries that have sown resentment and hatred and violence in all the corners of the globe. We weaken it when we hide behind walls, rather than tear them down, when we doubt the power of our ideals, rather than trust them to be the great force for change they have always been.

"We are three-hundred-and-twenty-five million opinionated, vociferous individuals. We argue and compete and sometimes even vilify each other in our raucous public debates. But we have always had so much more in common with each other than in disagreement. If only we remember that and give each other the benefit of the presumption that we all love our country we will get through these challenging times. We will come through them stronger than before. We always do.

"Ten years ago, I had the privilege to concede defeat in the election for president. I want to end my farewell to you with the heartfelt faith in Americans that I felt so powerfully that evening.

"I feel it powerfully still.'

"Do not despair of our present difficulties but believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here. Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history.

"Farewell, fellow Americans. God bless you, and God bless America."


Being a proud Massachusetts Democrat, I can unashamedly say that Mr. McCain is one of three Republicans I have voted FOR in my life. (circa 2000, against Mr. Bush). I can only ponder how different the country would be today if he had won the Presidency in that first go-around.

Rest in Peace, Senator. You have earned it.





 
 

2 comments (Latest Comment: 08/28/2018 18:36:01 by livingonli)
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