A little-known letter GOP Sen. John McCain's mother sent to Democratic President Lyndon Johnson just days after the Vietnam War hero was shot down and taken prisoner was unearthed Thursday on its 50th anniversary.
A copy of the remarkable handwritten document written Nov. 1, 1967 by Roberta McCain was provided by the LBJ President Library and posted online by ABC News.
"As the parent of a son who was shot down in Hanoi, last week, and is now a prisoner-of-war, I wonder if you are interested to know that both my husband and I back you and your policies 100 percent in Vietnam?" Roberta McCain, now 105, wrote.
"One reads so much of other opinions, that I just hope that you know the people really making the sacrifice, believe in our country and in you."
John McCain remained a prisoner of war for more than five years, was tortured by his captors, and wasn't released until 1973.
He went on to be elected to the House of Representatives, and then the Senate and ran for president twice, the second time winning the GOP's nomination before losing to Barack Obama in 2008.
Elected to serve his six term last year, he currently serves as the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee — and is still close with his mother, to whom he tweeted birthday wishes last February.
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