Farewall, Fellow Americans
John McCain’s farewell letter to America.
John McCain, died Saturday, August 25, 2018 of brain cancer. He left behind a touching letter to his “fellow Americans.”
Rick Davis, former presidential campaign manager for McCain, read the farewell message on Monday Aug 27, 2018 at a press briefing in Phoenix.
Read the farewell message. Here is a copy of McCain’s letter (from Meghan McCain’s tweet of Aug-27, 2018.
Luckiest Person on Earth
“I have often observed that I am the luckiest person on earth. I feel that way even now as I prepare for the end of my life. I have loved my life, all of it. I have had experiences, adventures and friendships enough for ten satisfying lives, and I am so thankful,“ as he expressed his gratitude and love for his wife, Cindy. His seven children, Sidney, Douglas, Andrew, Meghan, Jack (John IV), James, and Bridget. I would also add that he developed lasting friendships with many leaders including Vice President Joe Biden, Senator Joe Lieberman, more notably his best friend in the senate, Senator Lindsey Graham.
I feel it powerfully still
The most powerful part of the farewell letter was in reference to his 2008 presidential election loss to Barack Obama. “Ten years ago, I had the privilege to concede defeat in the election for president. I want to end my farewell to you with the heartfelt faith in Americans that I felt so powerfully that evening,” He continued, “I feel it powerfully still.”
This brought tears to my eyes. As I listened to his concession speech of 2008., John McCain is truly an American Hero.
Lighter Side
The funny side of John McCain, Oct-2015
John McCain is Different
Why is John Cain Different from Everybody Else? Oct- 2017
America was Always Great
“The America of John McCain has no need to be made great again because America was always great,” Daughter Meghan McCainsaid towards the end of her emotional speech. “The best of John McCain, the greatest of his titles, and the most important of his roles was as a father,” McCain said “John McCain was defined by love.”She ruminated on the legacy left by her father.“My father is gone, and my sorrow is immense, but I know his life was great because it was good,” McCain said toward the end of her tribute. “I love you, Dad.”
Thank you Senator McCain
Echoing Arnold Swarzenegger’s message, “Thank you with all my heart for your commitment to our country, your inspiration, and your friendship”, Arnold continues, “But today, I am filled with gratitude for everything you meant to me and this country. I hope every American takes time to reflect on how they can be more like you.”
Barack Obama Remarks at the Memorial Serivce
Obama’s Eulogy. “…every so often over the course of my presidency, John would come over to the White House and we’d just sit and talk in the Oval Office, just the two of us. And we’d talk about policy and we’d talk about family and we’d talk about the state of our politics. And our disagreements didn’t go away during these private conversations. Those were real and they were often deep. “ Obama said.
“So much of our politics, our public life, our public discourse can seem small and mean and petty, trafficking in bombast and insult and phony controversies and manufactured outrage. It’s a politics that pretends to be brave and tough, but in fact is born of fear. John called on us to be bigger than that. He called on us to be better than that.”
George W Bush Eulogy for Former Political Opponent
“The strength of a democracy is renewed by reaffirming the principles on which it was founded. And America somehow has always found leaders who were up to that task, particularly at times of greatest need. John was born to meet that kind of challenge – to defend and demonstrate the defining ideals of our nation.” George W Bush
Danny Boy
The internationally opera singer, Rene Flemming, sang Danny Boy, a powerful ballad about love and loss at the service. Senator McCain, who died on Aug-25, 2018 of brain cancer, had requested that Flemming sing the song during his own funeral. Cindy McCain wept during the powerful rendition of the song at the memorial service held at the National Cathedral in Washington on Sep-1, 2018.
And I Shall Sleep in Peace Until You Come to Me
Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen and down the mountain side
The summer’s gone and all the roses falling
It’s you, it’s you, must go and I must bide
But come ye back when summer’s in the meadow
Or when the valley’s hushed and white with snow
I’ll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh, Danny boy, oh, Danny boy, I love you so
But when ye come and all the flowers are dying
If I am dead and dead I well may be
You’ll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an ‘Ave’ there for me
And I shall hear tho’ soft you tread above me
And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be
For you will bend and tell me that you love me
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me