To the Editor: is Great. It is great, and safe, because of our heroic men and women in the military in the likeness of John McCain. I would like to thank all those who made real sacrifices that keep America great.

Biography [of Senator John McCain]:

*Entered the Naval Academy in 1954.

*Served with distinction in the US Navy until 1981.

*Elected to the US Senate in 1986.

*Re-elected to the Senate on November 11, 2016, to his sixth term (30 years).

*His father and grandfather were admirals in the US Navy.

As a fighter pilot in Vietnam, John McCain was shot down over North Vietnam on his 23rd bombing mission in October 1967, and was badly injured. He subsequently endured 5½ years as a prisoner of war that included extended periods of torture. Two of these years were spent in solitary confinement in a 10-by-10-foot cell, where he was not allowed to communicate with any of his fellow prisoners. I can never envision spending 5½ years of my life under these extreme conditions.

John McCain was offered an early release due to his father being a US admiral, but he refused, insisting that prisoners who were held longer be released first. Eventually, he and the other prisoners were released in 1973 after the Paris Peace Accords.

No matter what one thinks of the United States involvement in the Vietnam War, Senator McCain is a true war hero. He served our country with undaunted courage, honor, and distinction.

I respectfully and admirably thank John McCain for his 22 years of service in the military and his 34 years in the US Congress and the US Senate.

During this past campaign for US president, Donald Trump made the following declaration: "He (John McCain) is a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren't captured…"

While John McCain was involved with the war in Vietnam, Donald Trump was in college playing football, squash, tennis, and golf. He received five deferments: four for education, and right after graduation, one for heel spurs.

"I know more about ISIS than the generals do, believe me … I would bomb the **** out of them." This is a dangerous statement from a guy who avoided serving our country and arrogantly claims to know about war heroes. Does our Commander-in-Chief really believe that if enemy forces ever capture our brave troops that they are not American heroes? And, does he really believe he knows more about war than our generals?

Mr Trump … America

Frank Gardner

6 Surrey Trail, Sandy Hook         February 10, 2017