JOHN MCCAIN 2008 LAUNCHES NEW TELEVISION AD: "MY CHRISTMAS STORY"
ALEXANDRIA, VA -- At press conferences in Manchester and Columbia today, U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign released a new television ad to run in New Hampshire and South Carolina. The ad, entitled "My Christmas Story," tells the story of the most transcendent and uplifting experience of John McCain's imprisonment.
"This ad tells the inspiring story of John McCain, whose spirit was lifted by the compassion of a Good Samaritan during one of his darkest hours, revealing the true light of Christmas and the holiday season," said Sergeant Major Paul Chevalier (Ret.), Chair of the New Hampshire Veterans for McCain Coalition. "It's a powerful reminder that regardless of how difficult the circumstance, simple acts of compassion can bring hope to us all."
VIEW THE NEW AD HERE: http://www.johnmccain.com/mychristmasstory
Script for "My Christmas Story" (:30-TV)
JOHN MCCAIN: "One night, after being mistreated as a POW, a guard loosened the ropes binding me, easing my pain.
"On Christmas, that same guard approached me, and without saying a word, he drew a cross in the sand.
"We stood wordlessly looking at the cross, remembering the true light of Christmas.
"I will never forget that no matter where you are, no matter how difficult the circumstances, there will always be someone who will pick you up.
"May you and your family have a blessed Christmas and Happy Holidays.
"I'm John McCain and I approve this message."
JOHN MCCAIN: MY CHRISTMAS STORY
As a POW, my captors would tie my arms behind my back and then loop the rope around my neck and ankles so that my head was pulled down between my knees. I was often left like that throughout the night.
One night a guard came into my cell. He put his finger to his lips signaling for me to be quiet, and then loosened my ropes to relieve my pain. The next morning, when his shift ended, the guard returned and retightened the ropes, never saying a word to me.
A month or so later, on Christmas Day, I was standing in the dirt courtyard when I saw that same guard approach me. He walked up and stood silently next to me, not looking or smiling at me. After a few moments had passed, he rather nonchalantly used his sandaled foot to draw a cross in the dirt. We stood wordlessly looking at the cross, remembering the true light of Christmas, even in the darkness of a Vietnamese prison camp. After a minute or two, he rubbed it out and walked away.
That guard was my Good Samaritan. I will never forget that man and I will never forget that moment. And I will never forget that, no matter where you are, no matter how difficult the circumstances, there will always be someone who will pick you up and carry you.
May you and your family have a blessed Christmas and Happy Holidays.
