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Sacramento woman with John McCain's POW bracelet: 'Til the end, he has imparted us with courage'

Sue London of Sacramento put the POW/MIA bracelet on for the first time since she took it off in 1973, when John McCain returned home after 5 years in captivity.

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In the early 1970's, more than 5 million bracelets were sold to Americans with the names of soldiers who were captured or missing during the Vietnam War.

Sue London of Sacramento bought one of those bracelets when she was 10-years-old. Her father and brother both served in the Navy and her family wanted to respect the prisoners of war in Vietnam.

"I remember my mom waking me up early one morning and saying, 'Your soldier's coming home!'" said London. "I remember him coming off the plane and it was so incredibly emotional."

London's soldier turned out to be the late Senator John McCain.

"His character and integrity, the things he stood for even made more of a feeling of what a gift I was given," said London.

London followed McCain's political journey. Even though she didn't vote for him in 2008, she always admired him. When McCain famously voted against repealing Obamacare, London said she was so especially proud.

"I broke into tears like, 'That's my guy!'" said London.

The bracelet is a 48-year-old memento London will always treasure. After his death, she put it on for the first time since she took it off. That was in 1973, when McCain was released and returned home.

"Even 'til the end, he imparted us with courage and strength," said London. "I think we've lost that, integrity and kindness in government. I think it's so divisive right now. I hope that changes. I hope he has that influence."

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