McCain’s final letter to America
PHOENIX • Sen. John McCain expressed his deep gratitude and love of country in his final letter and implored Americans to put aside “tribal rivlaries” and focus on what unites.
Rick Davis, former presidential campaign manager for McCain who is serving as a family spokesman, read the farewell message Monday at a press briefing in Phoenix.
In the statement, McCain reflected on the privilege of serving his country and said he tried to do so honorably. He also touched on today’s politics.
“Do not despair of our present difficulties but believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here,” McCain wrote. “Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history.”
McCain died Saturday from an aggressive form of brain cancer. Plans taking shape called for McCain to lie in state Wednesday in the Arizona State Capitol on what would have been his 82nd birthday.
A funeral will be conducted Thursday at North Phoenix Baptist Church with former Vice President Joe Biden speaking.
In Washington, McCain will lie in state Friday in the Capitol Rotunda with a formal ceremony and time for the public to pay respects.
On Saturday, a procession will pass the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and arrive for a funeral at Washington National Cathedral.
Former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama are expected to speak at the service.
The Senate has draped John McCain’s desk in black fabric and placed a vase of white roses on top. Monday was the Senate’s first day back in session since his death, though McCain had not been back to Washington since December.
A private funeral is planned for Sunday afternoon at the Naval Academy Chapel followed by a private burial at the academy cemetery.
President Donald Trump was not expected to attend any of the services.
McCain was a noted critic of Trump, and Trump’s response to McCain’s death has been closely watched.
On Monday, for instance, flags at the White House were not lowered.
When asked about Trump’s response to McCain’s death, Davis said that the family is choosing to focus on the outpouring of support from around the world instead of “what one person has done or said.”
“The entire focus of the McCain family is on John McCain,” Davis said.
“There really is no room in the McCain family today to focus on anything but him.”
The official placard marking the office of Arizona Sen. John McCain is seen in the Russell building on Capitol Hill in Washington. McCain, a Vietnam War hero, two-time Republican presidential contender and towering figure in Congress during six terms as an Arizona senator, died Saturday at age 81 of brain cancer.