“John McCain served his country honorably.”
Speaking on behalf of the Trump administration, Vice President Mike Pence paid tribute to the late Sen. John McCain at a special ceremony in the United States Capitol Rotunda.
After welcoming guests and family members to the Friday service, Pence avoided partisanship and focused on Sen. McCain’s extensive service to the United States.
“It is deeply humbling to stand before you today at the United States Capitol to commemorate the life and service of an American patriot, Senator John McCain,” he said. “The President asked me to be here, on behalf of a grateful nation, to pay a debt of honor and respect, to a man who served our country throughout his life in uniform and in public office. And it’s my great honor to be here.”
Pence praised McCain’s military service, discussing how he joined the Navy and would go on to become a POW during the Vietnam War, saying, “But captivity did not diminish John’s sense of calling or his commitment to mission.”
The Vice President also noted that Sen. McCain had served over 35 years in Congress and made special mention of his care for the men and women of the armed forces.
“I never traveled with a colleague who was better to our enlisted, or harder on our generals,” he said. “John McCain loved the men and women who serve in the uniform of the United States, and he was a champion of our armed forces throughout his career.”
He continued, “We gather here today to honor an American patriot who served a cause greater than himself. And we gather here remembering a man who knew how he wanted to be remembered.”
“And so let me say to all those gathered, and his beloved family, on behalf of a grateful nation, we will ever remember that John McCain served his country. And John McCain served his country honorably.” Pence concluded, “May God bless the memory of John McCain. May God comfort his family and friends. And may God continue to bless the United States of America.”
You can watch the speech below:
Source: The Daily Wire
