Sen McCain was first given that bracelet, which appears to be a "Herobracelet," while on the campaign trail back in March. It was given to Sen McCain by Lynn Savage, the mother of Cpl Stanley while he was campaigning in New Hampshire during the primaries. The 22 year-old Cpl Savage was killed in Iraq last year.
Sen McCain began wearing his bracelet at that time, but did not begin discussing it with reporters until asked about it. That fact alone demonstrates that it was a matter of character and caring, and not a publicity stunt to garner support on the campaign trail.
When asked by reporters about the bracelet, Sen McCain said, "It means any political ambitions of mine pale in comparison to the sacrifice that nearly 4,000 family members have made."
In his speech at the Republican National Convention he mentioned his bracelet again. "I fight for the family of Matthew Stanley of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire," he said. "Matthew died serving our country in Iraq. I wear his bracelet and think of him every day. I intend to honor their sacrifice by making sure the country their son loved so well and never returned to remains safe from its enemies."
I have not been able to find any information regarding when Sen Obama began wearing his bracelet, or exactly how it came to be given to him. The name on that bracelet is that of Sgt Ryan David Jopek of Merrill, WI.
Incredibly, the father of Sgt Jopek has asked Sen Obama to STOP wearing his son's bracelet and to stop politicizing his son's death, but the good senator continues to do so.
Warner Todd Huston at Newsbusters, writes:
Radio host Glenn Moberg of the show "Route 51" asked Mr. Jopek, a man who believes in the efforts in Iraq and is not in favor of Obama's positions on the war, what he and his ex-wife think of Obama continually using their son's name on the campaign trail.
Jopek began by saying that his ex-wife was taken aback, even upset, that Obama has made the death of her son a campaign issue. Jopek says his wife gave Obama the bracelet because "she just wanted Mr. Obama to know Ryan's name." Jopek went on to say that "she wasn't looking to turn it into a big media event" and "just wanted it to be something between Barack Obama and herself." Apparently, they were all shocked it became such a big deal.
But, he also said that his ex-wife has refused further interviews on the matter and that she wanted Obama to stop wearing the reminder of her son's sacrifice that he keeps turning into a campaign soundbyte.
Sen McCain wears his bracelet at the request of the family of a fallen hero, as a constant reminder of his duty to ensure that his death was not in vain. Sen Obama wears his bracelet as a political ploy, against the wishes of the soldier's family. Where exactly is the Mainstream Media reporting on this?
On an ironic note, a POW bracelet was discovered in June, bearing the name of Sen John McCain. While cleaning out the attic of his deceased mother's home, Leon Abbott found the copper bracelet that his mother wore for more than three years.
"She was instrumental in launching the POW/MIA movement, and it turns out the bracelet she wore was John McCain's," Abbott told NBC News in discussing his mother, Sarah Abbott. "Pure coincidence. I was pretty amazed."
From NBC News:
Sarah Abbott and millions of other Americans began wearing the copper bracelets in 1970 to draw attention to the plight of U.S. service members missing or taken prisoner in Vietnam. She wore hers until McCain and his fellow POWs were released by North Vietnam in 1973.
Pundits have called Friday's debate performance between the two presidential candidates a "draw." But as demonstrated by the comparison of bracelets, on substance, it was a clear win for Sen McCain.
for this mother's wishes completely fazes me, but I'm not too surprised.
Excellent post!
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George Claghorn
"Beat Osama, Obama, and Chelsea's Mama."