John McCain, an American senator and Vietnam veteran, died on August 25th, 2018, according to the New York Times. His death was caused by a brain tumor that he had been diagnosed with in the summer of 2017. He was 81 when he passed. He died in Phoenix, Arizona, surrounded by his family.

McCain was born in Coco Solo, Panama. Coming from a family with an extensive military background, he served in the Navy for twenty-two years. Five of those years he spent as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. He was in solitary confinement for two years, and was tortured and interrogated by the North Vietnamese. In this time he sustained injuries that affected him for the rest of his life.

After the war, McCain continued to serve his country as a Republican senator for Arizona. He was considered a maverick in his party, as he disagreed with many Republican beliefs. He ran in the 2008 presidential race, even securing the Republican party nomination. He lost the election to Barack Obama, but treated him with the utmost respect and decency the whole race. When a woman made a remark about Obama being untrustworthy because “he’s an ‘Arab’”, McCain responded by saying, “No, ma’am. He’s a decent family man, a citizen that I just happen to have disagreements on with fundamental issues.”

The senator’s death sparked a weeklong celebration starting in Arizona and ending in Washington DC. Former presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush attended and gave eulogies, along with other political figures such as former vice president Joe Biden. President Donald Trump was not invited to attend, as McCain had many differences with him.

John McCain was buried in the United States Naval Academy Cemetery on September 1st, 2018. His long, dutiful life and incredible work for his country will be remembered and honored.