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John McCain, 1936-2018
In his concession speech following the 2008 presidential election, longtime Arizona Senator John McCain conveyed his faith in the people of the United States: "Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history." Having served in office from 1983 to his death on August 25, 2018, McCain -- branded a "maverick" -- will be remembered for his characteristic optimism and for choosing to follow his conscience, even when his beliefs conflicted with those of his fellow Republican Party members.
Before entering into the political arena, McCain graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served as a Navy fighter pilot. In 1967, while flying combat missions in the Vietnam War, his plane was shot down and he was severely injured. As a prisoner of war, he endured more than five years of torture and was considered a national hero upon his return home in 1973. McCain won numerous accolades, including such international honors as Georgia's Order of National Hero, an award typically given o Georgian citizens.
Steve Pyke, 2005 (printed 2018) |