The funeral set for Saturday at the National Cathedral is the culmination of the week-long memorial of Arizona Sen. John McCain’s life.
McCain, a Republican statesman and two-time presidential candidate, served his country both as a naval aviator and legislator. McCain was diagnosed with a brain tumor in July of 2017, for which he elected to stop medical treatment last week. He died at 81 last Saturday.
Memorial events began Thursday, a mourners filed past his casket as McCain was lying in state at the Arizona State Capital. A ceremony Friday at North Phoenix Baptist Church in Phoenix saw tributes from former Vice President Joe Biden, a close friend, and NFL player Larry Fitzgerald, among others.
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
The casket of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., arrives at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, for a memorial service.
(Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
Meghan McCain speaks at a memorial service for her father Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. McCain died Aug. 25, from brain cancer at age 81.
(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright arrives for a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018.
(Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
Former President Barack Obama hugs former Vice President Al Gore as former first lady Michelle Obama watches before the memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral on Saturday.
(Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
Former President George W. Bush, former President Bill Clinton and his wife former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne and former Vice President Al Gore arrive for a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday.
(Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger speaks at a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018.
(Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
Former Sen. Joseph Lieberman speaks during a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018.
(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
Former President George W. Bush walks away after speaking at a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018.
(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
Former President Barack Obama speaks at a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington on Saturday.
(Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, top left, talks to House speaker Paul Ryan as his wife Janna Ryan and former House Speaker John Boehner listen at a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington on Saturday.
(Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and his wife Marcelle, greet former Sen. Bob Dole, center, as they arrive for a memorial service for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., at Washington National Cathedral in Washington on Saturday.
(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
The casket of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is blessed at the end of a memorial service at Washington National Cathedral in Washington on Saturday.
(Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
Police officers salute as the casket of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., arrives at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington on Saturday for a memorial service.
(Susan Walsh/AP)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
Cindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., accompanied by President Trump’s Chief of Staff John Kelly, right, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, left, and family members, arrives at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, during a funeral procession to carry the casket of her husband from the U.S. Capitol to National Cathedral for a Memorial Service. McCain served as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War and was a prisoner of war for more than five years.
(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
Cindy McCain, wife of, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., accompanied by President Trump’s Chief of Staff John Kelly, left, and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, second from left, lays a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018.
(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
Cindy McCain, the wife of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, left, and White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, depart after placing a wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
The casket of Sen. John McCain leaves the Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Saturday.
(Graeme Jennings / Washington Examiner)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
The casket of Sen. John McCain is placed into a vehicle as it leaves the Capitol for the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. on Saturday.
(Graeme Jennings / Washington Examiner)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
Sen. John McCain’s daughter, Meghan (center), and other members of McCain’s family appear as the casket leaves the Capitol in D.C. on Saturday.
(Graeme Jennings / Washington Examiner)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
The flag-draped casket of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is carried up the steps of the U.S. Capitol, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Washington as Cindy McCain, top right, joined by her sons Jack McCain, and James McCain, look on.
(Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool Photo via AP)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
Sen. John McCain’s casket is carried into the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C.
(Graeme Jennings / Washington Examiner)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
The casket of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is pictured as he lies in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Washington.
(Morry Gash/AP)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
House Speaker Paul Ryan (right) gives a speech as Roberta McCain (pictured center), Meghan McCain (pictured second-left), and other members of Sen. John McCain’s family look on.
(Graeme Jennings / Washington Examiner)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., center, and other members of the Senate, stand as the flag-draped casket bearing the remains of Sen. John McCain of Arizona, lies in state in the U.S. Capitol rotunda for a farewell ceremony and public visitation, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Washington.
(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (pictured right) sits among other onlookers as Sen. John McCain’s casket is placed inside the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C.
(Graeme Jennings / Washington Examiner)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
Cindy McCain, wife of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., leans on his flag-draped casket during a farewell ceremony in the U.S. Capitol rotunda, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Washington. McCain was a six-term senator, a former Republican nominee for president, and a Navy pilot who served in Vietnam, where he endured five-and-a-half years as a prisoner of war. He died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81.
(J. Scott Applewhite/AP)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
Sen. Joe Lieberman, right, and his wife Hadassah Lieberman, pay their respects at the flag-draped casket of Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who lived and worked in Congress over four decades, in the U.S. Capitol rotunda, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Washington. McCain was a six-term senator, a former Republican nominee for president, and a Navy pilot who served in Vietnam, where he endured five-and-a-half years as a prisoner of war. He died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81.
(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., stands in front of the flag-draped casket of Sen. John McCain at the Capitol in D.C.
(Graeme Jennings / Washington Examiner)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
Actors Warren Beatty, right, and his wife Annette Bening, pay their respects at the flag-draped casket of Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who lived and worked in Congress over four decades, in the U.S. Capitol rotunda, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Washington. McCain was a six-term senator, a former Republican nominee for president, and a Navy pilot who served in Vietnam, where he endured five-and-a-half years as a prisoner of war. He died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 81.
(J. Scott Applewhite/AP)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
A Vietnam War veteran salutes the casket of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Washington.
(Andrew Harnik/AP)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
Visitors leave the Rotunda after paying respects to Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., as he lies in state in the U.S. Capitol, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Washington.
(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., left, and her husband Charles Capito pay their respects to Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., as he lies in state in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Washington.
(Andrew Harnik/AP)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
Glynn Crooks (Wambdi Ho’Waste), a tribal leader of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux community and a Vietnam War veteran, pays his respects to Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., as he lies in state in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Washington.
(Andrew Harnik/AP)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
A group of South Vietnamese women in traditional dresses pay their respects to Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., as he lies in state in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Washington.
(Andrew Harnik/AP)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in D.C.
Visitors sign condolence books in the Capitol Visitors Center as Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., lies in state in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Washington.
(Andrew Harnik/AP)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in Phoenix
The military honor guard moves the casket into the North Phoenix Baptist Church for a memorial service for Sen. John McCain.
(Jae C. Hong/AP)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in Phoenix
Meghan McCain, daughter of Sen. John McCain cries at the casket of her father during a memorial service at the Arizona Capitol.
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, Pool)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in Phoenix
The honor guard moves the casket into the North Phoenix Baptist Church for a memorial service for Sen. John McCain.
(AP Photo/Matt York, Pool)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in Phoenix
Former Vice President Joe Biden wipes a tear away while giving a tribute during memorial service at North Phoenix Baptist Church for Sen. John McCain.
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in Phoenix
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald gives a tribute during memorial service at North Phoenix Baptist Church for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., on Thursday in Phoenix.
(AP Photo/Matt York)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in Phoenix
Cindy McCain walks with her son Jack as the honor guard carries the casket after a memorial service for Sen. John McCain.
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in Phoenix
Jimmy McCain, left, and Jack McCain salute their father, Sen. John McCain, after a memorial service at North Phoenix Baptist Church.
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in Phoenix
A military honor guard carries the casket of Sen. John McCain after a memorial service at North Phoenix Baptist Church.
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in Phoenix
People line the street as the hearse carrying Sen. John McCain makes its way to a memorial service at North Phoenix Baptist Church.
(AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in Phoenix
Well wishers line the street to pay their final respects as they wait for hearse carrying Sen. John McCain to pass as it heads to a memorial service.
(AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
Sen. John McCain Remembered in Phoenix
A motorcade carrying the casket of Sen. John McCain travels from the Arizona Capitol to the North Phoenix Baptist Church for a memorial service.
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The Washington, D.C.-area portion of McCain’s memorials will begin 11 a.m. Friday with a service at the Capitol. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, and Vice President Mike Pence are scheduled to speak.
Viewing opens to the public from 2-8 p.m.
On Saturday, there will be a procession from the Capitol to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, where McCain’s wife Cindy McCain will lay a wreath in memory of all Vietnam Veterans.
Then, the motorcade will proceed to the National Cathedral, where services will begin at 10 a.m. Among others, McCain’s daughter Meghan McCain, Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, former Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger, former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama will offer remarks and tributes.
McCain will then be laid to rest Sunday at the U.S. Naval Academy in a private burial following a private memorial ceremony.
