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I remember all this very well. I was 20 years old and living in Jacksonville, Florida. I remember sitting in Aunt Ruth's living room and us watching the arrival of the Vietnam POW's on television. I sat there watching these men return over the period of over a couple of months to their families who had not seen them for many years. It still brings tears to my eyes and a lump to my throat when I read about their return or see news clips of those homecomings. I guess in the back of my mind I realize that it could have been my dad in their situation, but fortunately he came home when he was supposed to.
I was very fortunate to be working at a Ford dealership at this particular time. Ford Motor Company was giving the returning POW's the use of a new car for a year following their return. My boss, Ray Curry, was in charge of the program for those returning to the Jacksonville Naval Air Station area. One day he was having a lunch meeting with some of the returning men and invited me to come along. What an exciting opportunity for me. I do remember meeting John McCain that day and also think that Jeremiah Denton was there also.
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| John McCain on his return back to Jacksonville. |
