People began lining up Friday morning outside the Capitol’s visitor center entrance despite the 98-degree heat index forecasters predicted for the afternoon hours.
By 1 p.m., when the public viewing began, the sun was beating down on a few thousand people who stood in two lines — one in front of the Supreme Court and the other in front of the Library of Congress — waiting to be admitted, processed through security, and directed upstairs into the dome. Hundreds remained in line after 7:30 p.m., even as dark clouds moved in over the dome and Capitol police prepared to end the viewing at 8.
Denise Bucaoto said “serendipity” brought her from her home in Queens, N.Y., to Washington on this historic day.
Bucaoto said she had planned a trip to Washington this weekend and when McCain died and his public viewing was announced, she couldn’t not attend.
“Not being a Trump voter and seeing the way he [McCain] stood up for his principles and how he was bipartisan — I always heard about him as a POW and my dad was in Vietnam, so I got that connection,” Bucaoto said.
“But I didn’t realize how special he was until he stood up and voted against the healthcare dismantling. That’s when he became my hero and i realized he was a principled man who would stand up for what he believed in and he just wouldn’t vote for his party,” she said. “That was huge for me.”
Emily Hicklin, a resident of Des Moines, Iowa, said she came to the East Coast to visit her son in Baltimore. The two traveled to Washington to pay their respects to the late Arizona lawmaker.
Hicklin didn’t recall if she voted for McCain when he was the Republican Party’s presidential nominee in 2008, but said she came out because he was a good person.
“His courage and his honesty — I think he was just a stand-up guy and the type of man that I think every man should be,” she said.
The Iowan was struck by the volume of people who descended on Capitol Hill to honor McCain and the diversity of people.
“Just every walk of life was in there today. It was neat, too. I didn’t expect to see this many people,” said Hicklin.
Work brought Craig Danielson to the district. The Fargo, N.D., resident said the decision to pay tribute to McCain was “simple.”
“It’s only happened 31 times in the history of our country,” Danielson said, referring to the number of people who have had the honor of lying in state in the Capitol rotunda. “It doesn’t matter your political affiliation. This is pretty historic and a good way to honor not only Sen. McCain but our entire country.”
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)
Alan Shere, the only local the Washington Examiner interviewed outside the Capitol, said he visited when former President Ronald Reagan lay in state in June 2004.
Back then, visitors were led into the Capitol from the west side, he said, where the National Mall is located. That was a few years before the Capitol added on the visitor’s center, where U.S. Capitol Police process thousands of visitors through security, underground and a few hundred feet from the building before letting them up into the building.
Shere came by after work to pay his respects to a man he said he has admired for years.
“He was more than just a politician. He was one of the few statesmen that we have left in our country,” said Shere. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet him, but I feel like I knew him through all the things that he did for us as Americans. I’ll always remember this day.”
