Thank you, Senator McCain

The world mourns today with the news of Senator John McCain’s passing. A patriot and American hero, McCain honorably served Arizona in the United States Senate for more than 30 years. Prior to his Senate run, McCain served in Congress for two years representing the first Congressional District in Arizona and in the United State Navy.

McCain’s office released the following statement this afternoon announcing his passing:

“Senator John Sidney McCain III died at 4:28pm on August 25, 2018. With the Senator when he passed were his wife Cindy and their family. At his death, he had served the United States of America faithfully for sixty years.”

A true advocate of Arizona, McCain spent his lifetime in unwavering service to Arizona and the nation, improving the United States’ reputation abroad.

McCain’s daughter issued a heartfelt statement: “All that I am is thanks to him. Now that he is gone, the task of my lifetime is to live up to his example, his expectation and his love,” Meghan McCain said in a statement.

“My father’s passing comes with sorrow and grief for me, for my mother, for my brothers and for my sisters. He was a great fire who burned bright, and we lived in his light and warmth for so very long. We know that his flame lives on, in each of us. The days and years will not be the same without my dad—but they will be good days, filled with life and love, because of the example he lived for us.”

From former U.S. Presidents to foreign dignitaries to local sports icons, John McCain is being remembered across the world.

“John McCain fought for fought for America every day — from the Navy through Vietnam to the U.S. Senate,” Governor Ducey said in a statement. “He fought for what he thought was right, even when it wasn’t popular. His dogged patriotism and passion for country made him an inspiration, and a model, for all of us.”

Ducey continued, “May his life and legacy continue to inspire us to build a future for this country, and a history for this country, that would make John McCain proud.”

McCain most recently won reelection to the U.S. Senate in 2016. Months later, McCain was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Although the prognosis was grim, McCain continued to fight for the people of Arizona, a state he loved to serve.

In his recently published book with Mark Salter, “The Restless Wave,” John McCain concludes with gratitude and appreciation for his journey: 

“‘The world is a fine place and worth the fighting for and I hate very much to leave it,’ spoke my hero, Robert Jordan, in [Ernest Hemingway’s] ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls.‘ And I do, too. I hate to leave it. But I don’t have a complaint. Not one. It’s been quite a ride. I’ve known great passions, seen amazing wonders, fought in a war, and helped make a peace. I’ve lived very well and I’ve been deprived of all comforts. I’ve been as lonely as a person can be and I‘ve enjoyed the company of heroes. I’ve suffered the deepest despair and experienced the highest exultation. I made a small place for myself in the story of America and the history of my times.

“What an ingrate I would be to curse the fate that concludes the blessed life I’ve led. I prefer to give thanks for those blessings, and my love to the people who blessed me with theirs. The bell tolls for me. I knew it would. So I tried, as best I could, to stay a ‘part of the main.‘ I hope those who mourn my passing, and even those who don’t, will celebrate as I celebrate a happy life lived in imperfect service to a country made of ideals, whose continued service is the hope of the world. And I wish all of you great adventures, good company, and lives as lucky as mine.”

Lorna Romero

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