SENATOR jOHN McCAIN - A VIETNAM "BUDDY"

Much has been written about the life of john McCain. Listening to Sen Schumer and the NY Times you would believe they were always in awe of his talents, leadership and heroic history. We have a saying in the Torah "Acharei Mos-Kedoshim" after death the detractors from life become those who praise the dead. In 1980 John was called everything from racist, aggressive and unstable. This political ploy to name the Sensate office building is just that -a cute trick to divide the Republican party. I was friendly with John from the days of his service in the Congress .We were both Vietnam veterans and I was on the Board of AIPAC. He was always a dedicated friend and supporter of Israel. When he ran for the Senate in 1986 , my PAC ( HUVPAC) supported him. In 1986 , I brought him to Monsey as a guest for our Pac Chanukah party. Whenever I brought groups to Washington, first from our Pac and then from the OU, he always joined our luncheons, and made time to meet in his office with a small group to discuss substantive issues. He and Senator Larry Pressler of S.D , always called me their "Vietnam buddy". It signified a sense of comradery for a fellow vet.Beneath that friendly nickname was a common sense of patriotism and dedication to the exceptionalism of America. Part of that pact was a commitment to strengthen the US- Israel relationship For me he was a true "patriot" who never felt the need to stand up for what he believed in, even if he disagreed with you. America will miss his type of leadership in the Senate.