I served in the U.S. Navy when Admiral Stockdale was the commanding officer of the POW’s in Vietnam. His inspiration led me to become and intelligence officer while serving as an enlisted man on the USS CORAL SEA. I have so much admiration for him. I believe that next to President Reagan and perhaps some church leaders, me may be the greatest person to live in my lifetime.
Admiral Stockdale taught us that happiness can be found from within. You can be happy when someone is breaking your legs. He refused to let others dictate when he could be happy and not happy.
When he was trotted out to go on display in a news conference in Vietnam, he asked if he could shave and they gave him a razor and let him go into a latrine.
While in there he used to razor blade to cut up his face so that he would not be part of any plan to embarrass his country.
I have read his books and want everyone to know that they will be blessed if they do also. “In Love and War”, I found what kept both of them going. I love the man and I love his wife.
If I had the wherewithal to make it happen, there would be a statute of him and Sybil in the heart of Washington, D.C.
God bless you.