Maverick Grace
I lost my father to the Vietnam war. I was lucky because I grew up in a military town and was able to observe and engage with other active and military veterans to learn the basics of good adult behavior. Some would say it more succinctly “How to be a man”. I also learned how to act and treat others with grace meaning being polite and trying to follow a moral code (I try to do this but dont always succeed).
One of those people I observed and learned from was Col James E Hiteshew. His life history speaks volumes about good adult behavior and acting with grace. He was a Air Force pilot who was shot down, captured and spent a number of years as a POW in Vietnam. Upon his release he eventually ended up in my hometown and helped establish the AFJROTC unit at my high school. That unit went on to be recognized as one of the best units in the state. He helped lots of young people determine whether a career in the military was the right path for them and how to become leaders regardless of whether they were in the military or not.
Col Hiteshew exemplified maverick behavior. He could do more one arm push-ups than most any other member of our cadre. This with a arm that had be mangled while a prisoner of war. He found money and resources to help fix up a old bus to transport us to varied functions around the state. He made it a point to have us over to enjoy his pool at his home on regular occasions. He made it possible for us to go on field trips to Ft Belvoir and other locales despite budget issues and other obstacles. He did all of this when he could have been relaxing at home and golfing or whatever. I’m certain now looking back he was in regular pain with his arm/shoulder but he did all that he did with grace and no complaints that I ever witnessed.
The life of Senator John McCain very much follows the same background of Col Hiteshew. Both are men who did their duty for their country. They paid a price for doing that duty. Their families paid a price for that duty. When their duty was done they continued to serve their communities in different ways. While Col Hiteshew shaped young lives through his work with the ROTC, John McCain adopted and raised a number of children. Sen McCain has always epitomized maverick behavior. During the election campaign when a supporter made false and disparaging statements about then Sen Barack Obama, McCain was quick to correct that supporter boldly and without parsing. Last week I watched a piece on McCain on 60 Minutes and listened to how he was handling the news that he has a cancer that will very likely be a death sentence for him. He explanation was one of maverick grace. It made me proud.
I was not a political supporter of John McCain. I dont always agree with his views on the world and how we should be governed but I without fail respect John McCain. I feel a bit like Lindsay Graham when he said “John McCain has the right to vote any way he wants to vote”. In my book he’s earned the right to do just about anything he wants to do at this point and regardless I would be okay with it. He’s paid his dues. So when this national treasure must endure yet one more life or death struggle in a life that has been full of struggle and our president feels comfortable putting his knee in this man’s back I get sickened. I get angry. Most of all I get sad. I’m sad because we as a country are forgetting what made us the strong nation that we were. We are forgetting the rule that when brave men and women fight for our rights they should engender our respect. We have forgotten that the example of American patriotism isnt hangin at the golf course on the weekend and criticizing others via Twitter it is leading the people from the front through action and example. It is exemplifying maverick grace such as demonstrated by others such as Col Hiteshew or Sen McCain.
I’m happy I learned this lesson in leadership from Col Hiteshew. I’m reminded of the lesson by the actions of John McCain as he faces yet one more battle with grace and honor. Go get ’em Maverick!
