Americans Bid McCain Solemn Farewell With US Capitol Honour

Cindy McCain, wife of John McCain, touches the casket during the ceremony honouring the late US Senator inside the Rotunda of the US Capitol, Aug 31, 2018 in Washington, DC. Photo Credit: AFP

Americans paid their final respects Friday to John McCain as the national icon lay in state in the US Capitol as part of a momentous sendoff for the war hero and statesman.

McCain's widow Cindy, his seven children and his 106-year-old mother Roberta McCain joined scores of members of Congress, state governors, diplomats and other dignitaries to bid the senator farewell.

President Donald Trump, who had feuded bitterly with McCain, was notably absent from the somber ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda, an honor accorded to just 30 Americans throughout the nation's history.

The last visit to Washington by McCain - who died last Saturday at age 81 after a yearlong battle with cancer - is being spread out over two days with former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama to eulogize him during a memorial service on Saturday at the city's National Cathedral.

McCain's remains were flown by military aircraft to Washington on Thursday from Arizona, which he had represented in Congress since his first election in 1982.

He will be buried Sunday at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.





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