Political Quotes

“I rise to eulogize a great American about whom Senator McCain has just spoken. It has been said it is the soldier who has given us our most important freedoms over the course of our history. That is certainly a true statement in the case of Air Force Col. George ``Bud'' Day. Colonel Day was a good friend of Senator McCain's. He was a resident of Florida, living in the Fort Walton Beach area. Sadly, he passed away, but at the very extended life's age of 88. I want to--in addition to Senator McCain's comments--take a moment to honor and remember this American hero, who was one of the most highly decorated service members this country has ever seen. He was a Medal of Honor recipient. He was a veteran of three wars--World War II, the Korean war, and the war in Vietnam. Because his F-100 fighter jet was shot down, he ended up being a prisoner of war in Vietnam for nearly 6 years, and there in Hanoi he and Senator McCain became cellmates. When asked about their experience together, Senator McCain said: I owe my life to Bud, and much of what I know about character and patriotism. He was the bravest man I ever knew. Senator McCain has just recounted a number of those things. I do not know, but I have heard it said, either from Colonel Day or Senator McCain, that it was John McCain who was put into that cell nearly dead--after his arm was broken when he ejected from his aircraft, and after he had been beaten--and Bud Day nursed him back to health.…”