Hearing that John McCain had passed created a sadness in Arizona. He was at his ranch in Cornville, near Sedona during his final days. I hesitated to write this, assuming so many others had much to say about this heroic figure of a man. But not seeing anything written, I decided to publish what I wrote Saturday night.
When you meet someone who has such an impression on you in this manner, you don't soon forget it. Senator John McCain has just passed away at age 81 and the praises are ringing the halls of the Senate and beyond.
Everyone has probably heard of his prisoner of war history, his resounding 50 year political history, but few know the personal tribulations that others espouse. He was a kind, giving man who truly cared about people.
He was so powerful in Arizona that the calls and tributes are coming in enmasse. Stories you've never heard from his favorite restaurants near Cornville with a man playing his favorite tune on a piano inside the restaurant. His long standing support for the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Arizona Coyotes baseball and coyotes teams. His neighbors, people lining the streets, military figures saluting the motorcade tonight on the hour and half drive from Cornville to central Phoenix, people that just want to honor him from different party lines resounding his praises. It wasn't party lines, it was the difference between right and wrong. His calmness made every situation easy to resolve. He could discuss terse items and level the playing field, just with his presence. He WAS the ephiphany of what we stand for, what we believe in as a nation.
A brief glance at his monumental accomplishments:
Graduating US Naval Academy in 1958, he comes from 4 previous generations of military background. So much history may never be repeated to this magnitude.
Serving in the military he was a prisoner of war from 1967 to 1973 suffering life-long disabilities after being tortured in Vietnam. He retired from the military in 1981 and moved to Arizona.
He states, "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.
His political career included House of Representatives in 1982, becoming Senator in 1987 and re-elected through 2016, serving until his death on August 25, 2018. He was instrumental in campaign finance reform and never gave up an opportunity to speak about American rights and values.
His run for the presidency in 2000 and 2008 were both defeated. In 2015 he became Chairman of the Senate Armed Forces Committe in Arizona. He left such an imprint on this state that people are coming out to show respect, even though he was outspoken on different issues. He's stood up for American rights for 60 years, defending the Constitution and the right to live free, it wasn't about party lines.
For me personally, I can talk to any of my friends and relatives in Kansas and almost anywhere really, he was revered. People comment that there may never be another John McCain. Someone who stands up for Americans by being a prisoner of war for 5 1/2 years. Someone who dares to cross party lines to stand up for OUR rights. That type of backbone is a rare thing and I pray that others will feel that call to service to represent us as fairly.
Personally, I think back to when he was pictured in my daughter's high school yearbook with a full page family photo supporting the high school. Meghan was in the same class as my daughter. What a cool yearbook to have in your archives.
I'd like to think that we as Americans can stand behind someone like John McCain who stood for true American values, no party line needed.
Comments(22)