There's no doubt McCain is a hero

This is in response to John Hurley's Aug. 18 letter regarding Sen. John McCain. He asserts that John McCain is not a hero.

I could not disagree more with that statement. I respect Mr. Hurley's service to our nation in World War II; however, I sincerely disagree with his characterization of John McCain in Vietnam.

He says McCain is not a hero because, "McCain elected to sit out the rest of the war in the POW camp."

John McCain did not elect to sit out of anything. He was thrown into a solitary confinement jail cell for years at a time and was not given the opportunity to escape.

McCain stayed at the side of his fellow POWs and kept their spirits high, assuring them that America had not forgotten about them and never would forget their service in the cause of freedom.

McCain is in fact an American hero.

Ryan Melchin

Hoffman Estates