This week Stars and Stripes across the States are set at half-staff in honor of the late U.S. Senator John McCain. McCain passed away on Saturday evening at the age of 81 after a year-long battle against brain cancer following his decision to discontinue treatment.
McCain served as a senator for the state of Arizona for more than 30 years. As a member of the U.S. Senate, McCain was heralded as a bipartisan who was eager to work across party lines in service of the American people.
The Arizona senator made two unsuccessful presidential bids, one in the year 2000 and the other in 2008.
In addition to his colorful political career, McCain is well known for his heroic display of strength and patriotism as a member of the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War.
On Oct. 26 of 1967, McCain was taken as a prisoner of war when his aircraft was shot down over North Vietnam. For nearly six years, McCain was interrogated and tortured for his refusal to sign propaganda confession statements.
On Aug. 31, Senator McCain’s body will lie in state in the rotunda of the United States Capitol.
A service will be held on Sept. 1 at the Washington National Cathedral, and McCain will be buried in the cemetery at the United States Naval Academy from which he graduated in 1958.