Meghan McCain says father's 'America was always great' during speech at National Cathedral
Meghan McCain says father's 'America was always great' during speech at National Cathedral
September 02, 2018
Washington
CLOSE
Meghan McCain shows her father’s spirit in beautiful, poignant and scathing tribute to him, at times displaying the defiance that came to define him. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — Sen. John McCain’s funeral Saturday had the feel and gravity of the memorial for a head of state as three former presidents and a who’s who of Washington and the world gathered at the National Cathedral for his service.
McCain’s hearse arrived at the cathedral shortly before 9:30 as bells tolled for the centerpiece of the four-day event where speakers honored his life as war hero, prisoner, lion of the Senate and exemplar of values of duty to his country.Â
Family and friends, political rivals and allies, recalled McCain’s remarkable life and commitment to public service. They also noted the coarse nature of today’s political debate and contrasted that to how McCain relished a good fight but stood for more.
Yet it was his daughter Meghan who addressed the elephant not in the church, President Donald Trump, who had not been invited. She took a direct jab at Trump and his campaign motto without repeating it.
“The America of John McCain has no need to be made great again, because America was always great,†she said.
In Meghan McCain’s eulogy, she also noted his breeding as son and grandson of admirals, accomplishments across the world and tenderness as a father despite his tribulations.Â
“My father had every reason to think the world was an awful place…my father had every reason to think the world was worth leaving,” she said. “He did not think those things.â€Â
“We gather here to mourn the passing of American greatness, the real thing, not cheap rhetoric from men who will never come near the sacrifice he gave so willingly, nor the opportunistic appropriation of those who lived lives of comfort and privilege while he suffered and served,” she said. “He was a great fire who burned bright. In the past few days my family and I have heard from so many of those Americans who stood in the warmth and light of his fire.”
Former President Barack Obama, who defeated McCain for the presidency in 2008, called the opportunity to remember him a “precious and singular honor.”
“We come to celebrate an extraordinary man, a warrior, a statesman, a patriot, who embodied so much that is best in America,†Obama said.Â
Obama referred to the nature of today’s political debate and suggested that it was unworthy of McCain.
“So much of our politics our public life, our public discourse can seem small, and mean, and petty, trafficking in bombast and insult and phony controversies and manufactured outrage,” Obama said. “It’s a politics that pretends to be brave and tough but in fact is born of fear. John called on us to be bigger than that. He called on us to be better than that.”
“Wherever John passed throughout the world people immediately knew there was a leader in their midst,†he said.Â
Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn. and 2000 vice presidential candidate, and close friend, recalled McCain’s love of laughter and acceptance of religious and cultural differences. Henry Kissinger, the secretary of State in the Nixon and Ford administrations, said McCain believed in American military strength but also its compassion and engagement in the world.
“To John, American values had universal applicability,” Kissinger said.
The opera singer Renee Fleming sang the Irish ballad Danny Boy.
McCain’s mother, 106-year-old Roberta McCain, joined dozens of McCain’s friends and family at the cathedral before his casket arrived. Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter, and her husband, presidential adviser Jared Kushner, were surprise guests.
Former President Bill Clinton and former secretary of State Hillary Clinton joined the roster of the most senior former and current officials. Former Vice Presidents Joe Biden, Dick Cheney and Al Gore were also present.Â
Bush was McCain’s rival in the 2000 presidential race. The senator withdrew after losing a series of primaries to Bush on Super Tuesday. McCain later supported his former adversary. As the GOP nominee in 2008, McCain lost to Obama. In McCain’s concession speech at the Arizona Biltmore, he graciously spoke of the significance of Obama’s win, as the first African-American to hold the presidency.
Posted!
A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.
President Trump’s attorney Rudy Giuliani, center, talks with Ukrainian boxing champ Wladimir Klitschko, left, as they arrive to attend a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Susan Walsh, APPresident Trump’s attorney Rudy Giuliani, second from right, talks with Ukrainian boxing champ Wladimir Klitschko, second from left, as they arrive to attend a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Susan Walsh, APFrom left, former President George W. Bush, former first lady Laura Bush, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne and former Vice President Al Gore participate in a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington Nationals Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25, from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais, APVisitors crowd the Vietnam Veterans Memorial after Cindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., placed a wreath, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Washington, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Andrew Harnik, APVisitors crowd the Vietnam Veterans Memorial after Cindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., placed a wreath, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Washington, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Andrew Harnik, APEliana Duy, 8, of Fla., poses for a photo at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial after Cindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., placed a wreath, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Washington, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Andrew Harnik, APCindy McCain arrives at a memorial service for her husband, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25, from brain cancer at age 81. Watching in the front row from left are President George W. Bush, former first lady Laura Bush, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais, APCindy McCain greets, from left, former President George W. Bush, former first lady Laura Bush, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former vice president Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne at a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington Nationals Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25, from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais, APFront from left, former Defense Secretary William Cohen, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Vice President Joe Biden listen during a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25, from brain cancer at age 81. Back row, second from right is former Texas Senator Phil Gramm and third from left is former Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais, APFrom left, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former vice president Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne and former vice president Al Gore attend at a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington Nationals Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25, from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais, APFormer President Barack Obama, center, and former first lady Michelle Obama, right, arrive with other dignitaries and invited guests to attend a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25, from brain cancer at age 81. On the far left is former Vice President Al Gore. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais, APFormer President Bill Clinton, right, greets former Vice President Al Gore, left, as they arrive with other dignitaries and invited guests to attend a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25, from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais, APFrom l-r., Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and his wife Cheryl Flake, arrive with other dignitaries and invited guests to attend a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25, from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais, APSen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and his wife Marcelle, greet former Sen. Bob Dole, center, as they arrive for a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25, from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Pablo Martinez Monsivais, APFormer Vice President Joe Biden, second from right, and actor Warren Beatty, right, wait to escort the casket of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, for a memorial service. McCain died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Susan Walsh, APThe family of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., from left, Doug McCain, Andrew McCain (partially hidden), Sidney McCain, Ben Domenech and his wife Meghan McCain, Cindy McCain, Jimmy McCain and his wife Holly and Jack McCain and his wife Renee Swift watch as the casket of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., arrives at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, for a memorial service. McCain died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) Manuel Balce Ceneta, APThe family of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., including from left, Andrew McCain, Doug McCain, second from left, Meghan McCain, from front row left, Bridget McCain, Cindy McCain, Jimmy McCain and Jack McCain, watch as the casket is carried down the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Washington, for a departure to the Washington National Cathedral for a memorial service. (Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via AP, Pool) Marvin Joseph, APFrom left, Meghan McCain, Cindy McCain, Jimmy McCain and his wife Holly pause as they watch the casket of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., arrive at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, for a memorial service. McCain died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Susan Walsh, APRhonda Zuck, left, and her husband, Tim Zuck, center, who both served in the U.S. Army, drove from Racine, Wis., for the wreath laying ceremony for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. (Ray Whitehouse/Pool photo via AP) Ray Whitehouse, APHolly Knowlton, left, and her husband retired Gen. David Petraeus, right, arrive to attend a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Susan Walsh, APA crowd gathers before Cindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., arrives to lay a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a memorial service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, APA crowd gathers before Cindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., arrives to lay a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a memorial service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, APCindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., accompanied by President Donald Trump’s Chief of Staff John Kelly, left, and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, second from left, lays a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, APThe family of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., front row from left, Meghan McCain, Bridget McCain and Cindy McCain, watches as his casket is carried to a hearse from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Washington, for a departure to the Washington National Cathedral for a memorial service. (Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool Photo via AP) Jim Lo Scalzo, APNavy Lt. Jack McCain, the son of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is reflected in the wall of the Vietnam Memorial as Jack’s mother, Cindy McCain, accompanied by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, right, and President Donald Trump’s Chief of Staff John Kelly, left, departs after laying a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, APCindy McCain, wife of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., center, accompanied by President Donald Trump’s Chief of Staff John Kelly, right, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, second from left, and family members, arrives at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, APCindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., accompanied by White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, left, and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, second from left, lays a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, APCindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., lays a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, APBridget McCain and Meghan McCain, daughters of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., watch as Cindy McCain, lays a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, APCindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., holds a tissue as she arrives to lay a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, APFamily members of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., watch as his wife, Cindy McCain, right, accompanied by White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, third from right, and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, second from right, lays a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, AP
1 of 154
2 of 154
3 of 154
4 of 154
5 of 154
6 of 154
7 of 154
8 of 154
9 of 154
10 of 154
11 of 154
12 of 154
13 of 154
14 of 154
15 of 154
16 of 154
17 of 154
18 of 154
19 of 154
20 of 154
21 of 154
22 of 154
23 of 154
24 of 154
25 of 154
26 of 154
27 of 154
28 of 154
29 of 154
30 of 154
31 of 154
32 of 154
33 of 154
34 of 154
35 of 154
36 of 154
37 of 154
38 of 154
39 of 154
40 of 154
41 of 154
42 of 154
43 of 154
44 of 154
45 of 154
46 of 154
47 of 154
48 of 154
49 of 154
50 of 154
51 of 154
52 of 154
53 of 154
54 of 154
55 of 154
56 of 154
57 of 154
58 of 154
59 of 154
60 of 154
61 of 154
62 of 154
63 of 154
64 of 154
65 of 154
66 of 154
67 of 154
68 of 154
69 of 154
70 of 154
71 of 154
72 of 154
73 of 154
74 of 154
75 of 154
76 of 154
77 of 154
78 of 154
79 of 154
80 of 154
81 of 154
82 of 154
83 of 154
84 of 154
85 of 154
86 of 154
87 of 154
88 of 154
89 of 154
90 of 154
91 of 154
92 of 154
93 of 154
94 of 154
95 of 154
96 of 154
97 of 154
98 of 154
99 of 154
100 of 154
101 of 154
102 of 154
103 of 154
104 of 154
105 of 154
106 of 154
107 of 154
108 of 154
109 of 154
110 of 154
111 of 154
112 of 154
113 of 154
114 of 154
115 of 154
116 of 154
117 of 154
118 of 154
119 of 154
120 of 154
121 of 154
122 of 154
123 of 154
124 of 154
125 of 154
126 of 154
127 of 154
128 of 154
129 of 154
130 of 154
131 of 154
132 of 154
133 of 154
134 of 154
135 of 154
136 of 154
137 of 154
138 of 154
139 of 154
140 of 154
141 of 154
142 of 154
143 of 154
144 of 154
145 of 154
146 of 154
147 of 154
148 of 154
149 of 154
150 of 154
151 of 154
152 of 154
153 of 154
154 of 154
choreographed his own funeral months in advance, also championed bi-partisanship. To that end, House Speaker Paul Ryan sat with Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was seated near Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Democrat John Kerry, a former secretary of State, Senate colleague and Vietnam veteran, also attended. The two worked together to help normalize relations with Vietnam.
The guest list featured a host of foreign dignitaries, including Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela, and the current and former secretaries general of NATO. Expected attendees also included representatives from Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Germany and Taiwan.
McCain had been an outspoken advocate of Ukraine and regularly assailed Russia for its annexation of Crimea and fomenting dissent there. As well, McCain was a champion of NATO, in contrast with Trump who has regularly bashed it.
RELATED: John McCain remembered as a rare advocate for people fleeing conflict, persecution
Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani attended and said he found the service fitting in all ways, even the barbed remarks about Trump.
“I thought it was quite beautiful for a great man,” Giuliani said. “It was a great service. We are all going to miss him very, very much.â€
On some of the jabs taken during the ceremony, he said: “Everyone has emotions. This is a day that they get expressed. I thought, overall, it was very appropriate.â€
Before the service, McCain’s family gathered in front of the U.S. Capitol as military service members carried McCain’s casket down the steps to a waiting hearse. The motorcade carrying the senator’s body from the U.S. Capitol departed the Capitol shortly after 8:40 a.m.
The vehicles passed in front of the White House. Trump, who pointedly was not invited to any of the events in the three days honoring McCain, had feuded frequently with the senator.
At the White House, during McCain’s service, the president spent the day like any other Saturday with a series of critical tweets. Then, during McCain’s service, shortly after 10:30 a.m., Trump’s motorcade left the White House and arrived at Trump National Golf Club in Loudoun County, Virginia. He was wearing a white short-sleeved shirt and white Make America Great Again hat.Â
Earlier en route to the cathedral, McCain’s hearse paused at the war memorial, where Cindy McCain, joined by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, laid a ceremonial wreath honoring those who died during the Vietnam War.
Meghan McCain sobbed and leaned on her sister Bridget. A ribbon wrapped the wreath bearing the words, In Memory of All Who Served.Â
Veterans, families and signs of support filled the area around the iconic black wall at the memorial site. Some embraced and held back tears while others just passed through on a Saturday morning run. McCain, a Navy pilot, was held prisoner in North Vietnam for more than five years.
Shirley Whiteaker of Knoxville said she came to Washington after she heard news of McCain’s death to show support for his wife Cindy McCain and her family.Â
“They have done so much for this country,” she said of the entire McCain family.Â
McCain died Aug. 25 of brain cancer. He was 81. On Sunday, he will be buried in the cemetery at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Services will be private. Â
Contributing: Erin Kelly, Richard Wolf, Anne RymanÂ
REMEMBERING SEN. JOHN MCCAIN:
Was John McCain America’s senator or Arizona’s senator?
Joe Biden, Larry Fitzgerald, others remember McCain, ‘our country in its true form’
John McCain, the dad: A look at his relationship with his seven children
What I learned about John McCain during 20 years covering him
Cindy McCain, wife of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., right, talks with Vice President Mike Pence, left, after he speaks at a ceremony for John McCain as he lies in state in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool) Andrew Harnik, APCindy McCain, wife of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., leans on his flag-draped casket during a farewell ceremony in the U.S. Capitol rotunda, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Washington. McCain was a six-term senator, a former Republican nominee for president, and a Navy pilot who served in Vietnam, where he endured five-and-a-half years as a prisoner of war. He died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) J. Scott Applewhite, APFormer Secretary of State Henry Kissinger pays his respects at the flag-draped casket of Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who lived and worked in Congress over four decades, in the U.S. Capitol rotunda, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Washington. McCain was a six-term senator, a former Republican nominee for president, and a Navy pilot who served in Vietnam, where he endured five-and-a-half years as a prisoner of war. He died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) J. Scott Applewhite, APSen. Joe Lieberman, right, and his wife Hadassah Lieberman, pay their respects at the flag-draped casket of Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who lived and worked in Congress over four decades, in the U.S. Capitol rotunda, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Washington. McCain was a six-term senator, a former Republican nominee for president, and a Navy pilot who served in Vietnam, where he endured five-and-a-half years as a prisoner of war. He died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) J. Scott Applewhite, APAttorney General Jeff Sessions passes by the flag-draped casket of Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who lived and worked in Congress over four decades, in the U.S. Capitol rotunda, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Washington. McCain was a six-term senator, a former Republican nominee for president, and a Navy pilot who served in Vietnam, where he endured five-and-a-half years as a prisoner of war. He died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) J. Scott Applewhite, APOhio Gov. John Kasich kneels at the flag-draped casket of Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who lived and worked in Congress over four decades, in the U.S. Capitol rotunda, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Washington. McCain was a six-term senator, a former Republican nominee for president, and a Navy pilot who served in Vietnam, where he endured five-and-a-half years as a prisoner of war. He died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) J. Scott Applewhite, APSenate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., center, and other members of the Senate, stand as the flag-draped casket bearing the remains of Sen. John McCain of Arizona, lies in state in the U.S. Capitol rotunda for a farewell ceremony and public visitation, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) J. Scott Applewhite, APSenate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., center, and other members of the Senate, stand as the flag-draped casket bearing the remains of Sen. John McCain of Arizona, lies in state in the U.S. Capitol rotunda for a farewell ceremony and public visitation, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) J. Scott Applewhite, APSen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., left, and her husband Charles Capito pay their respects to Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., as he lies in state in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Andrew Harnik, AP
