John McCain: is he a hero or Patriot? I feel he is a Patriot, not a hero. Just because we chose to serve, does that now make us heroes?

I guess you don't know what John McCain did otherwise you would credit him with an act of heroism. When offered the chance of release from the Hanoi Hilton (because his father's position as CINCPAC) he refused, opting instead to wait his turn for release. He knew (as well as everyone) that the North Vietnamese were going to make him pay dearly for that decision. I am loathe to name anyone a hero. To me that implies that they will always act heroically. Sadly, every hero has feet of clay. Look at the lessons of the Bible. Every hero failed. Noah became a falling down drunk. Moses was denied entry into the Promised Land because he allowed his anger to get in the way of God's mission. The lessons go on and on. We find this is true of everyday heroes, even Medal of Honor winners. Thus, I celebrate the act of heroism, not the "hero". I celebrate what John McCain did when challenged in Hanoi, but that's about all.

I would like to answer the second part of this post first,in my case I enlisted in the Army in 1965 knowing I would probably serve in Vietnam and I did,at no time then or later did I consider myself a hero,you take the Oath and do your duty period,as for John McCain I have always been impressed by his conduct as a prisoner of war under going torture when his father's position could have had him released seems heroic to me personally ,as far as being a Patriot he served his Country honorably in uniform that for me is enough proof of patriotism,remember now this response is from a 70 year old grunt so it might be a tad old fashioned.

Would agree except when given the opportunity to be released as a POW early he choose to stay until all those captured before him were released first. Also he was awarded a Silver Star for his actions-doesn't that make him a hero? And no I don't always agree with Senator McCain's stand on all issues.