Senator John McCain passed on at the age of 81 on Saturday night following his battle with brain cancer. A family statement revealed that because of his recent deteriorating health, McCain chose to discontinue medication; “In the year since John has surpassed expectations for his survival. But the progress of the disease and inexorable advance of age render their verdict. With his usual strength of will, he has now chosen to discontinue medical treatment.” 48 hours after the statement was released, the senator died.
The senator was known in the US as a heavyweight in the political arena and a war veteran. The two-time presidential candidate was also very vocal about President Trump’s excesses and political gaffes – making him more loved by those who shared similar reservations. Last month, he tagged President Trump’s outing with Russian President, Vladimir Putin, at the Helsinki summit as “disgraceful” and the summit a “tragic mistake.”
The governor of Arizona, Doug Ducey, announced via his Twitter handle that Mr McCain will lie in state in Arizona on Wednesday – which is his birthday, after which his body will be returned to Washington.
Senator #JohnMcCain will lie in state here at the Arizona Capitol this Wednesday — his birthday. This is a rare and distinct occurrence for a truly special man. John McCain is Arizona, and we will honor his life every way we can.
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) 26 August 2018
Following his death, tributes haven’t stopped pouring in. In a statement, Former President Barack Obama – who defeated McCain in the 2008 presidential elections – expressed his condolence and shared values with Mr McCain:
“…we shared, for all our differences, a fidelity to something higher – the ideals for which generations of Americans and immigrants alike have fought, marched, and sacrificed,” Obama said in his statement. “We saw our political battles, even, as a privilege, something noble, an opportunity to serve as stewards of those high ideals at home, and to advance them around the world. We saw this country as a place where anything is possible – and citizenship as our patriotic obligation to ensure it forever remains that way.”
Other tributes:
My deepest sympathies and respect go out to the family of Senator John McCain. Our hearts and prayers are with you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 26 August 2018
Karen and I send our deepest condolences to Cindy and the entire McCain family on the passing of Senator John McCain. We honor his lifetime of service to this nation in our military and in public life. His family and friends will be in our prayers. God bless John McCain.
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) 26 August 2018
Statement by former President @GeorgeHWBush on the passing of U.S. Senator John McCain of Arizona. pic.twitter.com/joT1reIihM
— Jim McGrath (@jgm41) 26 August 2018
John McCain believed that every citizen has a responsibility to make something of the freedoms given by our Constitution, and from his heroic service in the Navy to his 35 years in Congress, he lived by his creed every day. https://t.co/946T7PnG53
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) 26 August 2018
John McCain was my friend. I will remember the good times. My family and I send prayers for Cindy and the McCain family.
– Sarah Palin and family pic.twitter.com/KRvcIQ99cA— Sarah Palin (@SarahPalinUSA) 26 August 2018
May his soul rest in peace.