Vice president Joseph Biden, NFL star Larry Fitzgerald, McCain’s former chief of staff, Grant Woods, and others gave moving tributes honoring the life of senator John McCain at a memorial service at North Phoenix Baptist Church in Phoenix.
A common thread throughout the eulogies, weaving its way through humor and tears, were words and sentiments that have already been voiced so many times before and since the death of the senator.
Words and themes such as character, decency, respect, integrity, basic fairness, “celebrating differences,” “the epitome of toughness.”
Grant Woods said McCain “loved the people, our diversity, our Native American community, our Hispanic culture and he loved the place — in particular the Grand Canyon, the Colorado River.”
Emphasizing how McCain “celebrated differences,” Fitzgerald said:
I’m black; he was white. I’m young; he wasn’t so young. He lived with physical limitations brought on by war; I’m a professional athlete. He ran for president; I ran out of bounds. He was the epitome of toughness, and I do everything I can to avoid contact.
The Arizona Cardinals wide receiver pointed out how the late senator “evaluated [people] on the merits of their character and the contents of their hearts.”
Tommy Espinoza, president of the Raza Development Fund Inc., a good friend of McCain, said:
He did understand us. He understood all of us, whether it was white, black, brown or Asian. To him, it didn’t make any difference. What he knew is that we all make America great. We all make America great.
Joe Biden started his emotional eulogy with “My name is Joe Biden. I am a Democrat and I love John McCain” and went on to memorialize – as perhaps no one else can – McCain’s character:
Biden said:
Things have changed so much in America, they look at him as if John came from another age because he lived by a different code, an ancient, antiquated code where honor, courage, character, integrity, duty mattered…
The truth is John’s code was ageless, is ageless.. It wasn’t about politics with John. You could disagree on substance…It was about the underlying values that animated everything John did.
It was always about basic values with John…Fairness, honesty, dignity, respect. Giving hate no safe harbor, leaving no one behind. And understanding that as Americans we are a part of something much bigger than ourselves.
Some have seen some of Biden’s words as “a veiled swipe at President Trump.”
I will not weigh in on that.
But what did come to mind is how difficult it would be to use any of the words and accolades so passionately spoken about John McCain – character, courage, honor, decency, integrity, dignity, honesty, respect…– in a tribute to the present commander in chief.
Watch the memorial service below.
Lead image: U.S. Navy
