The man of many battles lost the
last fight to death on Saturday three days to his birthday anniversary at the
age of 81. McCain had struggled with bouts of skin and prostate cancer before
succumbing to Glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Before his
demise, his family had recently announced that the senator had decided to stop
his cancer treatment.
Beyond that, there is more to the
one-time prisoner of war who strove to become America’s president.
BIRTHED IN THE FAMILY OF NAVAL FIGHTERS
Born in August 29, 1936, in the
Panama canal zone, McCain graduated from the US naval academy in 1958 to toe
the path of his father and grandfather who were admirals in the US Navy. The
light-weight boxer attended about 20 schools and always had difficulty with
mathematics. McCain is a renowned gambler. He later retired from the navy as a
captain with several decorations and awards.
PRISONER OF WAR
On October 26, 1967, McCain’s
fighter jet was shot down by a missile while on a bombing mission over over
North Vietnam. He parachuted into a lake while both arms and a leg were broken,
and was captured by communist soldiers. He was tortured and beaten while in
captivity. After his release in 1973, he was left with permanent injuries such
that he couldn’t raise his arms above his head.
In a memoir published in May,
McCain wrote that he hated to leave the world, but had no complaints.
“It’s been quite a ride. I’ve
known great passions, seen amazing wonders, fought in a war, and helped make
peace. I’ve lived very well and I’ve been deprived of all comforts. I’ve been
as lonely as a person can be and I’ve enjoyed the company of heroes. I’ve
suffered the deepest despair and experienced the highest exultation.”
THE MAVERICK SENATOR
McCain’s political career spanned
40 years. He started as a navy senate liaison officer after which he became a
member of the house of representatives. He was first elected as a senator in
1987. For his knack for challenging party leadership, McCain earned himself the
title of a “maverick Republican”.
In a fierce speech, McCain told
his colleagues that they were elected to be a check on the president. He said,
“We are not the president’s subordinates. We are his equals.”
TWO-TIME PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
On September 27, 1999, McCain
declared his intention to run for the presidency but later withdrew from the
race and endorsed his opponent, George W. Bush.
He declared to run for presidency
the second time in 2007 but was defeated by Barack Obama, who became the
nation’s first African American president.
A CRITIC OF PRESIDENT TRUMP
McCain doesn’t hold back in
criticising President Donald Trump over his alleged romance with Russia. He
said Trump ideology as a departure from the values and traditions of global
leadership.
While planning his funeral
services prior to his death, he made it clear that Trump was not invited. He
described his involvement with President Vladimir Putin of Russia as “one of
the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory.”
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