john mccain

Meghan McCain's emotional eulogy at John McCain's funeral: 'America was always great'

Saturday, September 1, 2018
Meghan McCain speaks at a memorial service for her father Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018.
WASHINGTON -- John McCain's daughter opened his memorial service with a tearful and impassioned tribute, posing her father's legacy as a direct challenge to President Donald Trump.

Meghan McCain said her father was a "great man" and she encouraged others to live up to his example, setting a tone that echoed the senator's own fighting spirit as services began Saturday at the Washington National Cathedral.
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Her tearful, impassioned tribute opened the memorial service for John McCain at Washington National Cathedral. She said mourners "gather here to mourn the passing of American greatness - the real thing, not cheap rhetoric from men who will never come near the sacrifice he gave so willingly, nor the opportunistic appropriation of those who lived lives of comfort and privilege while he suffered and served."

She said to applause, "The America of John McCain has no need to be made great again because America was always great."



Trump is not on hand for the ceremony; McCain's family made clear he was not invited.
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Three former presidents, scores of members of Congress, current and former world leaders and family and friends have gathered Saturday morning to eulogize McCain as an American hero. His flag-draped casket was escorted by military body bearers up the cathedral steps under gray skies.
Cindy McCain, center, widow of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., follows his casket as it is carried out of Washington National Cathedral.AP
The family of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., follows as his casket is carried during the recessional at the end of a memorial service at Washington National Cathedral.AP
The casket of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is carried out of the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018.AP
The casket of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is blessed at the end of a memorial service at Washington National Cathedral.AP
Former New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte reads scripture at a memorial service for Sen. John McCain.AP
at a memorial services for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington Nationals Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018.AP
Former President Barack Obama speaks at a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral.AP
Former President George W. Bush speaks at a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018.AP
Former Sen. Joseph Lieberman speaks during a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington Nationals Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018.AP
Jimmy McCain walks from the podium after reading the poem "€œThe Requiem," at a memorial service for his father, Sen. John McCain.AP
Dignitaries and invited guests attend a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018.AP
Dignitaries and invited guests attend a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018.AP
Meghan McCain speaks at a memorial service for her father, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral.AP
The American flag remains at half-staff over the White House in honor of the late Sen. John McCain, R- Ariz., in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018.AP
The casket of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., arrives at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018.AP
Jimmy McCain reads the poem "€œThe Requiem,"€ at a memorial service for his father, Sen. John McCain.AP
Cindy McCain arrives at a memorial service for her husband, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018.AP
The casket arrives for a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018.AP
The casket arrives for a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018.AP
Meghan McCain speaks at a memorial services for her father Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington Nationals Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018.AP
Laura Bush, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne and Al Gore arrive at a memorial service for Sen. John McCain.AP
George W. Bush, Laura Bush, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne and Al Gore arrive at a memorial service for Sen. John McCain.AP
The family of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., watch as the casket is carried down the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Washington.AP
The casket of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is carried down the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018.AP
Cindy McCain, accompanied by President Donald Trump's Chief of Staff John Kelly, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, and family members, arrives at the Vietnam Veterans MemorialAP
The casket of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is carried to a hearse from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018.AP
Cindy McCain, accompanied by President Donald Trump's Chief of Staff John Kelly, and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, lays a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.AP
Cindy McCain lays a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington.AP
The casket of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is carried down the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018.AP
Cindy McCain, wife of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., lays a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018.AP


The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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