Young photo of John McCain goes viral, prompts outpouring of support

"Regardless of your politics, he is a national hero."
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John McCain, the Vietnam veteran and U.S. Republican senator, has been diagnosed with a particularly aggressive type of brain tumour, according to his office.

Numerous personalities from the whole political spectrum voiced their support for the Arizona Republican, who competed against Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential campaign.

But it was a picture of young McCain, when he was in the Navy, that captured people's imagination and spurred touching tributes after it was posted on Reddit:

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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The photo shows McCain with his squadron and a T-2 Buckeye trainer in 1965.

It was shot two years before he was captured and was forced to spend five and a half years in captivity as a POW in North Vietnam.

People expressed their support by telling stories of when they accidentally met him:

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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Others called him a real American hero to be proud of:

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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Democrats also expressed their solidarity:

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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Everyone told him to hold on and keep up the fight:

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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable
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