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
God bless Senator John McCain. God bless America.
-- Tim, New Hampshire
I voted for this great hero for President, and felt he would have been great and better than the man he ran against..........RIP Senator McCain
-- Barbara, Illinois
Just wanted to share my interactions with Senator McCain.
When I was 16, I was a page in the US Senate (100th Congress, 2nd session). McCain was still very early in his first term. He was incredibly nice to all the pages. We loved him. He would keep candy in his desk on the senate floor, and have one of the Cloak Room staffers keep it filled with candy for us (and others). We affectionately called him the "Candy Man."
Seriously, I loved that guy. One of the nicest senators I interacted with.
-- Chris, Arizona
McCain
Patriarch. American. Patriot. My-Kind-Of-Republican. Proverbs 31:8. Combative. Collaborator . Humble. Noble. Funny. Unpredictable. Honorable. Character. Intellectually Sovereign. Solid. Scrupled. Passionate. Unique. Tenacious. Unequivocal. Bookish. Incontrovertible. Steadfast. Vodka Snob. Charming. .........So Missed.
-- M, Texas
John McCain was a real life Rambo like in the movie that is why I voted for John
-- JOLEEN, Massachusetts
Good Bye. Well done!
-- Astrid, Germany
John McCain is the only candidate for president that I, a life-long democrat, have financially supported.
-- Lawrence, Oregon
I was one of the special forces that went in to get my brothers,we did not make it.It seames they new we were coming we lost many of our brothers that day John I do it again because of our fath for one another. REST IN PEACE. REST IN PEACE
-- WARREN, Arizona
John McCain was a true American hero. I'm glad to have lived in his lifetime. Thank you John for your service to our country.
-- Patricia, New Jersey
My condolences to to the family of Senator McCain. Its very difficult to find a man and a Hero like Senator McCain in this century. My prayers will always be with him.
Sayed Monis MD
Neurosciencescenters.com
-- SAYED, California
He gave me a glimpse of what a George Washington and Abraham Lincoln's Courage, Honor and devotion to the truth was like.
They would have been proud to have known him as a friend.
-- Garrick, New York
Thank you for your service to our country! Speaking up on issues when it was not so popular! You arrived in Heaven and God said well done my son! Prayers to the family during this most difficult time.
-- Rosalind, Georgia
Dear Mrs. McCain and family:
We would like to express our condolences to you, Honorable John McCain’s Family, for your great loss. Words are inadequate at this time of grief, but we would like you to know that we will always cherish the memories of the Senator as a Combat Hero in Vietnam, enduring six years of harsh imprisonment at the so-called “Hanoi Hilton”. The Senator fought alongside us against the invasion of the Communists to ensure Freedom for the South Vietnamese people.
As our Greatest Benefactor, The Senator wrote the McCain Amendment, signed into Law in 2002, which restored derivative refugee status to save thousands of South Vietnamese Prisoners of War and their families from the retribution of the Vietnamese Communists.
Senator McCain was a "fighter" and a true "patriot" until the very end; his legacy of service and "love of country" were unparalleled. We send our prayers for "peace" and "healing."
Respectfully Yours,
Tan Nguyen
Republic of Vietnam Veteran
-- Tan, Virginia
Thank you John McCain. You deeply impressed me. My heart is with your family. You truly left an impact and hopefully your legacy will make a difference. You gave us hope in Europe.
-- Sabine, Germany
Senator McCain, Your passing causes me much sadness. There are very few men like you that loved our country as much as you did in your lifetime. Thank you for your service to our beloved country.
-- Alice, California
As a former Scoutmaster, SenMccain would den alter tI
My new Eagle Scouts. It inlckude. a letter about making a flag out of scraps while he was a prisoner. My son still has his letter and he is 48 now. He never failed to make this Scout feel good.
-- John, Arizona
Rest in peace - American hero!
John McCain is the conscience of our country! An example of what an American must be like!
-- Maya, Washington, D.C.
I related to Senator McCain because he was different from most in Congress. He put values and beliefs before political affiliations. He was the best within us. I am sad at our loss but rejoice that he will be rewarded and welcomed in heaven.
-- Jane, Tennessee
RIP John A true hero.
-- Gary, California
I was proud to have met Senator McCain a few years back and performed for John and Cindy at their ranch a few years back with one of my old rock n roll bands at their ranch. He was and will be remembered as a great hero of all American people and an iconic individual who's lifetime of public service to all and especially people of Arizona!! I am proud to have worked and still work for Hensley Beverage Company.We will all miss you and send condolences to your beautiful family!!
-- Fred, Arizona
Thank you for everything Senator McCain. I will always be grateful for your service and for repairing US-Vietnam relations.
-- Peter, California
REST IN PEACE PRAYER OF FAMILY
-- JAMES, Arizona
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
Rest In Peace Senator McCain. You inspired every person to reach higher and to be the best version of themselves, as you were, in service to your country and to mankind. Thank you for your service.
-- Sonia Garcia, Virginia
A truly loving father and kind man. Thank you for your service.
-- Teresa, Arizona
I voted for John McCain. He would have been a great president! However, he was a great senator and patriot!
-- Dean, Colorado
Please accept my sincerest condolences on the loss of your dear husband, father, warrior and true patriot. We are fortunate to follow in his footsteps, with the passion, grace and integrity that he evinced every day. Take what comfort you can knowing we will honour his memory by striving for the highest standards of conduct and service to that which is larger than ourselves.
-- Michaela, Canada
When my late husband Carlos Apodaca passed Mr McCain was the only one who would listen to me and helped me get his benefits. After 4 years of fighting and getting nowhere he did it in six months. I will forever be grateful to him. You could see he was a kind and loving man who loved his Country and the people. May God rest his soul in peace and keep his family strong. I am sure he left a great legacy behind. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten.
-- Mary L, Arizona
God Bless John McCain. He was a true American Patriot and served our country extremely well. May he rest in eternal peace in The House of The Lord.
-- Stephen, New Jersey
But we are sad. We need him more than ever.
-- Nora, Massachusetts
Rest in Peace, Warrior!
-- William, Indiana
This great man lead our Nation and will be remembered as one of the greatest of all time. Goodbye Patriot.
-- Dan, Oregon
I never met Sen. McCain, but I will miss you. Even though I am more liberal than conservative, I respected you and am grateful for your service to our country.
-- David, Missouri
Take your rest...you brave soldier having fought the good fight of faith until your name was echoed from heaven's realm for your task has been completed. Your example of courage will not be gotten. You will be missed.
-- Phillip, South Carolina
As a daughter of a career Army Officer who served in Vietnam in 1969-1970 I knew the story of Senator McCain. Through the years I always talked to my Father about Senator McCain. My Father passed away at 94 on 10-17-17 and this October will be interred at Arlington. I cried when I heard the Senator passed away. Truly reading Meghan’s tribute reminded me how strong her Father was and though our Fathers never met they shared love of family and country.
-- Denise, Georgia
I meet him in maybe 2001 in the AZ airport gift shop. I asked for a photo and his daughter Megan took it. We took a few since I am a blinker. Back then a regular camera so had to wait till I was back in Texas to develop. I called my mom from a pay phone to tell her.
-- Shelly, Texas
Dear Cindy I am so deeply sympathy your husband he is good men
We'll best to your family.
Love you
Anthony Canale
-- Anthony, New York
As just an ordinary citizen on the other side of the political spectrum, I didn't always agree with Senator McCain. But I admired his tenacity, his blatant love of the USA, his devotion to its citizens and his ability to work with the other side of the aisle (sometimes going against his own party's stance) to achieve meaningful legislation. He was one of the old guard who demonstrated integrity, wit and straight talk. The world was a better place with him in it and be assured his legacy will live on. Thank you to his family for sharing him with us. My sincerest condolences.
-- Renee, Florida
I wanted to share an impressionable moment I experienced as a Legislative Assistant for the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) and meeting the late Senator. The year was 1990 and I was a 21 year old working for the legendary Judy Park who had worked w/ Senator McCain to defeat the Medicare Catastrophic Prevention Act. Judy invited me to a lunch honoring Senator McCain along with maybe a dozen people and she said to me, "Senator McCain was a true friend to federal retirees. This is an experience you will never forget." And she was right. He will be sorely sorely missed.
-- Lisa, Illinois
John McCain, had he been elected President of the United States, would have not only been a very great president, he would have been able to unite the country, in spite of a hostel main stream media. There was something truly unique in John’s ability to bring any group into dialogue which ultimately benefited the whole. I’m very sad we’ve lost a leader irreplaceable in the younger generations.
-- Beth (Dorithy Elizabeth), Hawaii
We are sorry that we did not know you personally, it would have been and honor. Thank you Senator McCain for the role model you became for all Americans. The world is a much better place for the example you set. Our deepest sympathy to the McCain family and this nation. We have lost a great man.
-- Betty and Ralph, New York
Senator McCain is a true American hero. Inspirational and a fresh breath of air in a polluted political circle. May God welcome home his child. Que Dios lo bendiga!
-- Jorge, New York
Rest In Peace John... You will be missed.
-- Alvin, Oregon
He was a Hero, a Congressman, a leader and above all he loved our country.
-- Pedro J, Florida
thank you
-- michael, Georgia
Death can never take a good man away, for in the hearts of the people he inspired, his legacy remains and continues throughout generations.
Sen. John S. McCain will never be forgotten. May his soul rest in peace.
Please accept my humble condolences.
-- Jean Marc, Belgium
I am a Texas resident, but that Didn’t keep me from Donating to Mr McCain re- election campaign.To me he was a true Republican. Admire his tenacity, and courage . True warrior. He will be missed by a lot of people. My condolences to all the Mc Cain family. May his Soul Rest In Peace.
-- Gustavo, Texas
While I didn’t always agree with Senator McCain, he was a patriot, and on two occasions I wrote him, he either answered or sent my letter to my congressman. I admired him, and even if I didn’t always agree, I thought he was a patriot, a man who went thru a living hell so many of us can’t imagine, and he served his country with honor and A sense of what was right. May God bless him always!
-- Carlos, Texas
John, Senator.
You always be a giant among man kind. May you rest in peace in Heaven.
Love you.
-- Francois, Idaho