The U.S. bid farewell to Senator John McCain, who told Americans not to “despair of our present difficulties.”
From time to time, when the going gets tough, heroes are easier to see.
Senator John McCain died on Saturday, August 25, and the void was felt across, not just the United States, but the whole world who admired his examples of courage, loyalty and resilience.
The Republican, a lawmaker from Arizona and Navy veteran, not only spoke on behalf on millions who wanted their voice heard, but he also endured brutal torture as a prisoner of war in Vietnam and a brain cancer operation that put in jeopardy his labors.
This, by itself, defines a man of an enormous capacity of endurance, quality that convinced him of taking the big chair of the country: The Presidency.
Although this dream was not fulfilled, he demonstrate class and character in each of his campaigns, in 2000 when he announced he will not betray his beliefs ever again after lying about his feelings on the Confederate flag in South Carolina, and in 2008, when he was very specific on saying the campaign was not a matter of race.
Decency, civility, compassion, and trust in ones true values where what Senator John McCain was all about.
He bid farewell to his country with a powerful message on his personal website:
“Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history”.
“We weaken our greatness when we confuse our patriotism with tribal rivalries that have sown resentment and hatred and violence in all the corners of the globe. We weaken it when we hide behind walls, rather than tear them down, when we doubt the power of our ideals, rather than trust them to be the great force for change they have always been.”
“Do not despair of our present difficulties but believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here”.
At the day of his mourning, 7,500 people had snaked down the streets wanting to pay their respects to the late Governor, Senator and Presidential Candidate.
