I am a regular American who has never met Sen. John McCain. However, I can say that I have always admired his strength and courage in light of what he went through during the Vietnam war. He could have come back, withdrew into his own world after the horrors he endured, but instead he continued to serve his country for decades to come, and raised a wonderful family. He is an American hero for the ages. Rest in Peace with our Lord and your family and friends who have gone before you. May Mrs. McCain and family know they are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

-- Carol, Florida

I was a Democrat, but when John ran for President, I'd always said that if he ever ran , I would support him. Party didn't matter as much to me as the intent and decency of the candidate. John is the reason I became a bipartisan ..until trump...and I will be again when integrity is restored to the GOP... by emulating John's ethics. It can honestly be said that John was a "great man", that only comes along in decades. I wasn't prepared, though I knew it might come. Even now, John helps us differentiate the split screen contrast between revered and notoriety. He helped us through the troubled days of late while he was here, and will be the inspiration for us to regain our country's place in the world. I will remember you, John.

-- Jenneva, Arizona

Peace with Lord.

-- Howard, California

The world has lost a true hero!!!! My sincere condolences to the McCain family!!!!! The world will seem a little less brighter without him in it!!!!

-- paulette, Connecticut

A great American, I will miss him.

-- Jack, Pennsylvania

Senator John McCain and his respect for the process always stood out to me. Although, I supported Barack Obama in 2008, He has always shown an excellent display of good characteristics and always stood for what he believed in regardless of being politically correct. His dedication to public service and to country is what I will always remember about him. The people of Arizona were lucky to have him as a Senator, I will miss him, I intend on reading his book and watching his past interviews. Senator McCain, I again, thank you for your service.

-- Nicholas, New Jersey

Sen. John McCain was a good and decent man. I'll remember him that way and be thankful for his extraordinary service to our country.

-- Carol, Florida

John was what every politician and American should want to be. he will be truly missed.

-- Luanne, Illinois

Good bye Senator McCain,thank you for your service, you were a real hero.. You'll be gone but never forgotten. Rest in peace

-- Rose, Massachusetts

Dear Family: With all his many impressive accomplishments I always looked at him with pride . I was pleased to have been a classmate in USNA-58 with him for a while. He was a great man. The country will miss him.

-- Rich, Wisconsin

Amazing hero and patriot. He will forever be an inspiration to many of us about service to our country. Blessed to have worked for his campaign and honored to know what kind of man and person he was. A generation of dedication will always be remembered. Eternal rest grant grant unto thee Lord and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he Rest In Peace. Always forward and God speed sir.

-- Mario, California

A true american he will never be forgotten

-- Deborah, California

Attended his rally for President at Stabler Arena, Lehigh U., Bethlehem, Pa.

-- Ken, Pennsylvania

I enjoyed campaiging for John, at his office. He was a wonderful person. The staff was great there was always, an aboundance of food and treats, for the volunteers! You would never go hungry in his office. My deepest sympathy to his whole family.

-- Marie, Arizona

From one sailor to another. Fair winds and calm seas. I may not have always agreed with you but I have always respected you.

-- MARK, Arizona

Senator McCain always spoke with clear conscience, and did the right thing for the country. He is the one that makes America great.

-- Patrick, Texas

Had Honor to meet this GREAT man prior to the Ronald Regan Presidents Dinner (D.C), Sen. McCain gave us a Photograph we will cherish, it's my wife with me & Sen. McCain, "Carolyn is the Rose between two thorns" I tell this story too many. This picture will be on display in our AZ vacation home. Our Nation has loss a Hero, & Icon of Freedom. We loved him & Honor his memory. We plan to attend the AZ service about 7 hours from Ca...God bless him & Family.

-- Frank X, California

To those who loved Senator/war hero, John McCain, and were loved by him: Henley's poem 'Invictus' , intoned so beautifully by Bruno Huhn, is now playing in my heart and mind as I remember John McCain. He lived and died on his own terms. And he left this world better than he found it. What more can one adk of a man?

-- Richard, New York

My warmest condolences to the McCain family. John has been an inspiration to me and my family. Any man who spent over five years at the Hanoi Hilton and provided leadership in the Senate is a true American hero. John will never be forgotten. His memory will live on. John McCain is my hero. God bless John and family.

-- Michael, New York

Eternal rest grant unto John McCain o Lord and may Your perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. May his family feel your comfort o Lord in these coming days

-- Daniel, Illinois

Home is the sailor, home from the sea. Home is the hunter, home from the hill

-- Gert, Netherlands

I didn't know him. Sent some emails. I supported his presidential run. Truly sad to hear this recent news.

-- Fatbardh, New Jersey

During his internment as a POW I proudly wore my copper Bracelet & prayed for John McCain. I still have my cherished bracelet and a Thank You letter sent to me in response to a "Welcome Home" message I wrote to him when he returned to the USA. I admired this brave man as did so many others. Aloha to Senator John McCain's Family .

-- Shirlee, Hawaii

I have long admired the integrity of Senator McCain. While I have not agreed with him in some instances the motives behind his position were always beyond question. He was a true patriot placing county above personal interest. American would have been far better off is he had been elected President. The divisiveness that we see in both political parties could only have been bridged by someone of his character. His passing is a significant loss to the nation.

-- Brad, North Carolina

wow he will be sadly missed a great man who put his country and its people first .

-- chris, Australia

I had the honor of being Sen McCain's co chair of his Jewish Advisory Council 08. I am also the McCippah lady. I'm glad I got to know and help him. He will be missed by so many for his honesty and candor. Sleep well Senator!

-- Judy, Pennsylvania

We worked for you in 2000 and were able to meet you twice in 2002. You were always one of the "good guys." Thank you for all you said and did in public life.

-- Carolyn & Bob, Arizona

I never personally met John McCain... yet, because of how he lived politically and how he bore true suffering at his captors hands because he couldn’t leave before his turn... I have always deeply respected him. I feel like our country has lost a marker and standard of honor with his passing. I will miss his ‘maveric’ style and his obvious desire for Country first during decisions in the Senate. All of us are better people for having had the glimpse of a man like him. God Bless the family of Senator John McCain, and thank you for sharing him with me.

-- Nancy, Washington

As a young person starting to notice politics, I first became familiar with Senator McCain when he was running for President and selected Sarah Palin as his running mate. In the years after that, I would see him in the news and was impressed with his work and the heart felt sentiment he gave upon his return to the Capital after his diagnosis. We need more people like the Senator both in government and society. Patriotism is everything and too many people treat it like nothing these days. That needs to change.

-- Bobbi, Pennsylvania

Thank you for your service John McCain. Heart breaking, so sad!

-- John, California

July 4th, 2017, Senator John McCain and a few of his colleagues came to Kabul, Afghanistan to visit with American Service personnel serving far away from home. He could have been anywhere, but he was there with us, and of course made special time for the Navy Sailors stationed there. He pinned the rank of LTCOL on a friend and promoted several others as well. We were far away from home, but having Senator McCain there with us made everything better. Because he was there, we felt at home and a hope he did too.

-- CDR Jim, Virginia

I worked for Senator McCain presidential campaign. I was a coordinator for getting him on the Virginia primary ballot. I also work many hours during the campaign. I believe that he was a great American hero and someone who we should all strive to be emulate. Nobody did more for his country than the Senator, and I wish will my heart that he gets his final reward. I would like to extend my family sympathy. He provide my family the freedoms we enjoy.

-- Bob, Louisiana

He was a Hero, a Congressman, a leader and above all he loved our country.

-- Pedro J, Florida

As a former intern to Congressman McCain -I was inspired by his enthusiasm and love of freedom and liberty. We have lost a proud-patriotic American and champion of freedom-Liberty. I enjoyed my internship and have a great signed picture of my friend John McCain. He liked a great debate-discussion and enjoyed a good story. His lifelong commitment to public service is a great testament to his character to protect and defend " that glorious Liberty document" our Constitution- that amazing document- the source of every AMERICAN citizens freedom and liberty! His Country First 2008 slogan was great and timely. Rest in peace my friend from Arizona!

-- Bill, Pennsylvania

I remember seeing Senator McCain during the 2008 campaign defend President Obama from the accusation that he was an Arab. He said the President was an American citizen. I also remember seeing the dramatic vote on the Senate floor when John cast the deciding vote against repealing the Affordable Care Act. I saw him many times on television and he was straightforward and direct in many of his answers to questions whether they were good or bad ones. He will be deeply missed in the US Senate at a time when it could use the voice of a man with the courage of his convictions.

-- Christopher, Maryland

Senator McCain was a true American Hero. His service to our country including the fact he could have been released from Vietnam during his capture but said no, he would not leave his fellow soldiers behind, is a show of true loyalty and courage which cannot be matched. Thank you Senator for your service during the war and thank you for your public service thereafter in Congress. America was blessed to have you.

-- John, Pennsylvania

I am a physician who helped take care of Senator McCain's kids. We had been out of the country several July 4th's. My daughter asked it we could stay in the US one year and John's office was helpful I setting up tours in DC. We asked to meet him when we came back to AZ. When we met in 2005, I reminded him who I was, asked him to run for President and offered to be his running mate. He thought a minute, said my kids are alive and "OK, you're in"! When we asked him how the average American could make a difference, he responded to keep the memory of the holocaust alive. He then quoted from Jewish authors. What a thrill and honor to have met him and have our family discuss this with him. We will never forget this honor to be with him.

-- Alvin, Arizona

I really want to extend my most heartfelt sympathy to Sen. McCain's family. While I didn't always agree with his politics, I ALWAYS admired his integrity, honor, and humility. It makes his loss doubly sorrowful in the political climate of today. While I didn't know him personally, I feel confident that he was a truly good man all the way down to his soul. I believe we can all learn something from his life, and we should strive to be as true a person as he was. And again, my deepest sympathy to all of his family. He will be missed.

-- Sheri, California

Dear Family of Senator McCain: We are grateful for Senator McCain's life and for the support all of you gave him that enabled him to be the great Senate and international leader that he was. We share in your loss.

-- Shirley & Jim, Arizona

Great Leader,our country will surely miss his leadership.Condolenses to his family.

-- Johnsie, North Carolina

Three years ago I had the privilege of meeting Senator McCain at Regan Airport. He was gracious and cordial when we talked. I may not have agreed with him on everything but never ceased to admire him for standing for his principles and his dedication to our Country. Well done faithful servant.

-- Barbara, Indiana

A few years ago, I wrote Senator John McCain a letter. In the letter, I wrote to him about a charity that he was working on to help the disenfranchised and poor here in America. I wanted to know, from him, why we did not hear more about wonderful things like about his work in the news. I also wrote in the letter that I am a Democrat. Therefore, I did not expect to hear back from him. But, I did. He sent a most wonderful warm response and signed it in ink (smile). I am a US Veteran. Senator McCain's service is and always be unmatched. When we lost him, the sorrow is as great as the day we lost John F. Kennedy. Our Nation's Hero set the highest example that MOST will never achieve. But, at least we can honor him and keep trying!

-- Stan-Joseph, Georgia

During 2000 primary, Sen. McCain gave a speech in Springfield NJ. I was police detective on security detail. He took time after speech to hang out with the cops and autographed his Faith of Our Fathers book for us. Real nice down to earth guy. A real American. Rest in Peace.

-- Judd, New Jersey

I never knew John personally but he would be the one to have on your side. I wished that John would have been president back in 2008. He will be missed. My sympathies to the McCain family during this hard time. I lost my father to this evil disease cancer back in 2012 and it is still hard to think it has been that long but the memories keep him alive. To the McCain family you will have a lifelong of memories of John close to your heart.

-- TODD, Minnesota

In 2009, I was working as a physician in Phoenix and went to a meeting where John McCain was the guest speaker. After the speech, I was talking with some colleagues, turned around, and there was the Senator. I certainly did not expect that he would come out afterwards to talk with any of us. He shook my hand and thanked me for being a physician in the state. I stammered something about him always being an inspiration to me (I still have a copy of "Character is Destiny") that I am sure made little sense. Still - the fact that this important man would just come out and talk to local constituents like that always stuck with me. If the political winds had different timings, he would have been a superb President - but regardless he was a superb Senator and human being.

-- Marc, Colorado

My daughter and I were lucky enough to meet Senator McCain on Mackinac Island many years ago. He was one of the few men who still had integrity. Sending deepest sympathy to his wife, children, family and friends. He will be missed deeply.

-- Chris, Michigan

A great man, and a hero for all eras. May his memory be eternal.

-- Martin, Illinois

To a dedicated military and statesman I say a job well done and need more like you to follow. You could never be replaced with your prisoner of war and political records you have done this wonderful country a great deed. Gods blessings.

-- John, Texas

Senator McCain has showed the world what real leadership means - deliberate, thoughtful, and principled - regardless of personal difficulties. We are all richer for his example of true citizenship, and for his lifetime of service.

-- Brenda, Canada

Senator, I have been a long time supporter and friend to you as you run for office. I want to thank you for your service to our great nation. Our prayers are with your family. May you rest in peace.

-- Ty, Maryland