Even Vietnam Remembers Sen. John McCain

By Duane Grandbois

Aug 26, 2018 | 8:45 AM

Canadian politicians are expressing their sympathies to the family of Arizona Sen. John McCain, who has died of brain cancer at the age of 81.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on Twitter that McCain was an American patriot and hero whose sacrifices for his country, and lifetime of public service, were an inspiration to millions.

McCain was a war veteran who was captured in North Vietnam in 1967 and endured years of torture and abuse.

People in Vietnam are remembering Sen John McCain. He parachuted into Hanoi’s Truc Bach Lake after his Navy aircraft was shot down during a bombing mission.

He spent over five years in the prison known as the “Hanoi Hilton.”

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They regard McCain as having played an important role in normalizing relations between their country and the United States.

On Sunday, a memorial was held at the lake, with residents leaving flowers to remember McCain.

McCain requested that former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush deliver eulogies at his funeral, CBS News has confirmed.

Both Obama and Bush will deliver their remarks during a service at the National Cathedral.

Former Vice President Joe Biden will speak at a separate service honoring the senator in Arizona.

President Donald Trump tweeted his condolences to the family of Sen. John McCain, who died Saturday.

“My deepest sympathies and respect go out to the family of Senator John McCain. Our hearts and prayers are with you!” the president tweeted.

Trump has frequently criticized McCain even as he fought brain cancer.

Some of Trump’s most explosive remarks in his campaign came early on in July 2015, when he mocked the senator’s time as a tortured prisoner of war in Vietnam.

“He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured,” Trump said of McCain, prompting widespread backlash from both parties.

CNN reported in May that the McCains did not want Trump at his funeral.

Arizona residents are paying respects to the late Sen. John McCain.

Some drove their cars and parked along Interstate 17 on Saturday night as a hearse traveled from McCain’s home near Sedona down to Phoenix.

McCain is expected to be honoured in Arizona and in Washington before being laid to rest at the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, Maryland.

Sen. John McCain, died Saturday of brain cancer at the age of 81.

by Duane Grandbois