A special memory of John McCain

The passing of an exemplar of the American hero, Senator John McCain, reminds me that there are precious few moments in life when one is truly in the presence of greatness. And what an honor it is in those moments to be with such a man or woman, to listen or have a simple opportunity to speak with them. In these recent days, my memory has taken me back to the time when I started the Military Times Service Member of the Year program back in 2001, and met Senator John McCain. This program, recently in its 18th year honoring the "everyday heroes" in the military, would never have taken root if it weren't for John McCain and his support, inspiration and integrity.

I conceived the program during a winter visit to Fort Drum, in the snows of upstate New York. At the time, there had been tensions between service personnel and the small towns surrounding the post. Then there was a paralyzing winter ice storm that knocked out power to the localities. A PFC from the post had, on his own initiative, gone out to set up and help service power generators, going to town and village to restore some service, helping in any way he could. He also helped families of fellow service members caught in the freezing storm. The towns responded by making this PFC the grand marshal of their Memorial Day parade. This wonderful, inspiring story had gone unacknowledged by anyone outside of the local media, and was indeed not covered by the vaunted Military Times. It pointed out to me that in the rush for "breaking news" from around the flagpole, about command, policy decisions and, yes, inevitable mishaps, we were missing something very important and fundamental. About these stories of the good and noble deeds by individual service members, stories that often go unnoticed in the quest for headlines, especially as they are away from the limelight and glare of Washington, DC or other metro areas. This was about the every day solider, who went above and beyond for his community, for his comrades, not seeking or expecting anything other than to be of help, of assistance. This represents so much of what is best about the U.S. military - the quality of the men and women who serve. The unique and special nature of those who volunteer, an example for this nation. The Military Times Service Members of the Year award program was born.

Naturally, we found compelling, inspiring stories for all four services - Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force (Coast Guard, an initial oversight, was added a year later). But what to do next? Well, I thought, why not ask Senator McCain, the most prominent American hero, if he might meet and speak to our recipients if we brought them to Washington. Senator McCain was coming off his first presidential primary bid, which was unsuccessful but raised his profile ever more and he was in much demand. I didn't know if I could get anywhere near him on this, or if he'd be interested in this new program in its first year. But I called his office, explained, and asked if I could meet with him about it. To my shock, I got a phone call in the next couple of days saying yes, come to the office. So I put on my best suit, got my presentation prepped and ventured up to Capitol Hill to meet...Senator John McCain.

Needless to say, I was nervous as hell when I went to his office. After a normal waiting time - but which seemed endless to me - I was told Senator McCain had a few minutes on the way out to see me. I recall a strange combination of feeling awed, excited and utterly anxious when I met him. His battle scars were clearly visible up close, the effect of the crash and torture he suffered in North Vietnam apparent in the way he walked and used his arms. I remember feeling so humbled in that moment. He was so gracious, taking a moment to ease my youthful awkwardness, as I quickly explained to him what I intended for the awards program and how I wanted the meaning of Military Times to expand. He said "it's a great thing you are doing," that he would have his staff check his calendar, and if timing worked we could use a room that he would arrange. Wow. It seemed like I left the Senate office building on a cloud, a true "OMG" moment, I just met John McCain. I talked with him. And he is interested. It was one of the early highlights of my life.

Well, it all worked out, his office arranged the room, with a podium. We brought the award recipients to town, showed them a great and fun time, then brought them up to Capitol Hill for a simple ceremony. It was in a small room in the Russell building. There were about 25-30 people in the room, our staff, Elaine Howard (the president of Military Times who gave me the go-ahead support for the program,) friends and families of the recipients. Senator McCain came in, somewhat distracted by the day's political business I suppose, with his remarks in hand, likely prepared by his staff. We had presentation of colors, then we started reading the citations, as each recipient stood and stepped up at attention to receive their award. The citations were stirring, befitting the essence of the program. With each citation I could see Senator McCain getting ever more involved in the stories. By the time the last recipient citation was being read, the Navy Times Sailor of the Year, his attention was completely engaged. This sailor was a corpsman, an immigrant, and years prior had distinguished herself by working overtime on the TWA aircraft crash off Long Island, retreiving bodies and body parts from the water while treating the victims with immense honor and respect, keeping her teammates focused and motivated in such trying circumstance. As the full story was movingly read, I saw Senator McCain's eyes tearing up just a bit.

He came to the podium, obviously touched by the four citations of amazing accomplishment and selfless service by these rank and file members of the military, brought in from all corners of the country and world. Because they epitomized the character and honor of what it means to be in uniform. He looked out at the recipients, their families, and crumpled up his page of remarks in a ball. He then started to speak extemporaneously. About his experience in 1967, onboard the USS Forrestal. One morning as the ship was preparing an attack, a rocket from one of its own Phantom jets was accidentally launched. The rocket streaked across the deck and hit an A-4 Skyhawk piloted by John McCain.

He was emotional as he told us that fuel from his Skyhawk spilled out and caught fire. The fire then engulfed nearby planes and detonated a bomb, furthering the fire's spread. He talked about the selfless bravery and composure of sailors as they tried to contain the fire and save their comrades while explosions blew holes in the flight deck. It took a full day before the fires could be fully contained. Hundreds of sailors were seriously injured and 134 lost their lives. Senator McCain talked about the profound virtues of America's service members, about how everyday soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are his heroes, his inspiration. He spoke about the selflessness and nobility of service, of sacrifice and putting others before oneself, and of the importance of the military family. There wasn't a dry eye in the room I suspect, just a hushed, amazed and humbled sense of awe, of inspiration, a very special and meaningful moment. I looked to the service member recipients, and saw what this moment meant to them. And I felt what it meant to me.

I knew we had something bigger on our hands, something important, that I needed to take Service Members of the Year to the next level. I made this my mission, to do something good for individual service members that lasted as an enduring recognition and celebration of our everyday heroes across the U.S. military. Something not focused on the poster "perfect soldier" or an honor from the brass, but from grass roots of the military, service members who make a special difference every day in the lives of those around them.

So we planned out the following year's ceremony, working closely with Senator McCain's office. He suggested bringing on Senator Daniel Inouye, his friend and colleague from the Armed Services Committee and a hero in World War Two, in which he lost an arm in combat. Senator Inouye was a Democrat, so the program bridged party lines with two amazing heroes, which was awesome. We planned the next ceremony at the Reserve Officers Association building to accommodate a larger audience, invited notables and other legislators to participate under the auspice of Senators McCain and Inouye. It was the first of many years of growth for the program, which Senator McCain hosted until he ran again for president in 2008, when he won the Republican nomination and his schedule was too demanding. But by then, the Service Members of the Year program had taken root.

I've had a lot of good moments in a career, which included coming back many years later in 2016 leading a revival at the company after its tumultuous purchase by a private equity firm. And in that course reenergizing the Military Times Service Members of the Year program, taking it forward again, adding elements and awareness to it. But those earlier years for the program were special, as we built it. And the opportunity to work with Senator McCain and his staff, to build this program, for reasons and meaning that transcended all of us. That put soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and coastguardsmen front and center, rather than part of a gala or sidelight to another ceremony. To do this in a way that made it a memory of a lifetime for them and their families. It was an immensely rewarding experience that set the tone for the rest of my career, giving me inspiration to this day in everything I do, and what I strive for. To serve a greater good. To do so with passion, commitment and integrity. This is the inspiration I received from my brief but meaningful encounters with John McCain. In the same way that he touched thousands more just like me, in passing, people that he similarly did not know, but inspired. 

RIP Senator John McCain. God bless for a life of service, commitment and sacrifice for our nation. Thank you from one of its grateful citizens.