Wow! That is a small world indeed!
I knew of Stockdale as a military dependent, and it probably sounds odd to people, but we used to discuss the various POW’s, wear bracelets, etc. (I had a Jerimiah Denton bracelet that eventually turned green and corroded off my wrist)
I was fascinated by Admiral Stockdale, even then.
I remember the POW bracelets well. It seemed like in my area it unfortunately was the “cool” thing to do and I doubt my pears that had them really understood what it was about. I was introduced to Stockdale at his cousins funeral by his widow, who as I said were friends and neighbors of my grandparents. Their son, my uncle, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for Heroism posthumously so they had something in common. Stockdale was gracious and friendly towards me, a total stranger and a nobody. He was a true gentleman.