Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy Retired,
United States Senator from Alabama
Former Vietnam POW,
Author of When Hell Was in Session 

"We don't have to turn to our history books for heroes.  They are all around us.  One who sits among you here tonight epitomized that heroism at the end of the longest imprisonment ever inflicted on men of our armed forces.  Who will ever forget that night when we waited for the television to bring us the scene of that first plane landing at Clark Field in the Philippines--bringing our POWs home.  The plane door opened and Jeremiah Denton came slowly down the ramp.  He caught sight of our flag, saluted, and said, 'God Bless America.' then thanked us for bringing him home."

 Admiral Denton upon his return from Hanoi to Clark AFB in February 1973 

   "We are honored to have had the opportunity to serve our country under difficult circumstances. We are profoundly grateful to our Commander-in-Chief and to our nation for this day.   God bless America."