Funeral ceremonies for John McCain: He made us better president

Personalities from politics and society have honored late U.S. Senator John McCain in Washington. Former US presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush also took part in funeral ceremonies. “He has made us better presidents, just as he has made Senate better, just as he has made this country better,” Obama said.

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McCain died a week ago at age of 81 years in Arizona at a brain tumor. The Republican was strongest intra-partisan opponent of President Donald Trump. Obama said at funeral, McCain understood “that some principles go beyond politics, that some values go beyond parties”. That is why he defended a free and independent press as vital for a good debate.

Obama’s predecessor Bush said about McCain: “He was honorable, always recognizing that his opponents were still patriots and people.” The U.S. senator has despised abuse of power, Bush said.

McCain’s daughter Meghan with side swipe against Trump

McCain’s daughter, Meghan McCain, said in her speech in line with Trump’s campaign slogan Make America Great Again: “America’s John McCains did not need to be made big again because America was always great.” At same time, Meghan McCain criticized “cheap rhetoric of men who could never come close to sacrifices he so readily gave.” While ors were opportunistic and enjoyed comfort and privileges, he suffered and served, said McCain’s daughter. Her far was in North Vietnamese prison for more than five years.

U.S. President Donald Trump did not attend funeral, but instead attended his golf club in neighboring state of Virginia. According to media reports, McCain and his family did not want Trump to attend ceremony.

After McCain’s death, Trump had acknowledged merits of senator and war veterans only after massive public pressure.

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More than 3,000 invited guests took part in funeral ceremony. Germany was represented by Bundestag president Wolfgang Schäuble. The ceremony was last event in U.S. capital before McCain was interred in U.S. state of Maryland at Annapolis Naval Academy Cemetery.