Passing of Senator McCain

The Honorable Senator John McCain, passed away on August 25, 2018 in Arizona. His family had announced the day before that his cancer treatment had been stopped.

Senator McCain lay in state in the Arizona State Capitol Building on August 29^th, which was his birthday. He was then brought to Washington, DC to the Capitol building to lie in state in the Rotunda.

The Funeral service for Senator John McCain was held on Sept 1, 2018 at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. In attendance was former Presidents, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, accompanied by their wives and Vice Presidents.

John McCain was a member of the Republican Party and was one of the Senators representing the state of Arizona. Senator McCain served the United States for many decades in every way possible. He fought in the Vietnam War, one of the harshest wars in American history. He served as a Senator for Arizona for decades as well and even ran for President in 2008 in opposition of the then Democrat Nominee Barack Obama.

He used his political and military background to help the country and to make allies. In today’s times, it seems unheard of that a Republican or a Democrat would get along, but McCain’s resiliency made sure that bipartisanship would always be a part of American values. His friendship with former President Barack Obama is truly a testament to the beliefs that Senator John McCain strongly upheld.

Former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama gave the eulogies at the funeral. Obama stated

“John believed in honest argument and hearing other views. He understood that if we get in the habit of bending the truth to suit political expediency or party orthodoxy, our democracy will not work. That’s why he was willing to buck his own party at times, occasionally work across the aisle on campaign-finance reform and immigration reform. That’s why he championed a free and independent press as vital to our democratic debate. And the fact that it earned him some good coverage didn’t hurt either.”

“It is this combination of courage and decency that makes the American military something new in history – an unrivaled power for good. It is this combination of courage and decency that set America on a journey into the world – to liberate death camps, to stand guard against extremism, and to work for the true peace that comes only with freedom. John felt these commitments in his bones,” Bush stated.

The Late Senator’s Daughter, Meghan McCain also spoke at the funeral service.

“The America of John McCain has no need to be made great again because America was always great,” she said.

Meghan McCain’s words were meant to show the country and the whole world that the country that her father worked so hard to protect and take care of is the country that is and always will be great, not the country that others are trying to make it be.

President Trump was not invited to the funeral for many reasons. His behavior and cruel words towards the Late Senator were the biggest reasons. Trump ridiculed Senator McCain for being a Prisoner of War for five years in the Vietnam War. It is very hypocritical and wrong for Mr. Trump to make such a statement because Senator McCain stepped up when his country needed him and faced every condition and situation without hesitation, whereas Mr. Trump avoided the draft by pretending to be injured. It is clear who is an American hero and who is not.

During the funeral service in the National Cathedral, Trump was out in Virginia playing golf.

Senator McCain worked hard to serve the United States and made major sacrifices for the American people. Some might not have agreed with his beliefs or tactics, but it is undeniable that his intentions were to help the people and the country he loved so much. May his life inspire others to serve as he did and may we hope to see more leaders like him in the future.