Honoring Senator John McCain

The casket of Senator John McCain lies in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.

The casket of Senator John McCain lies in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. Standing by the casket are (from left): Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and his wife Janna, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his wife Secretary of Transportation, Elaine Chao. Photo by Eric Connolly.

A hearse carrying the Senator McCain arrives at the U.S. Capitol. Photo by Phi Nguyen.

A hearse carrying the Senator McCain arrives at the U.S. Capitol. Photo by Phi Nguyen.

Senator McCain’s casket is carried into the U.S. Capitol. Photo by Leah Herman.

Senator McCain’s casket is carried into the U.S. Capitol. Photo by Leah Herman.

Senator McCain’s wife Cindy follows his casket  into the U.S. Capitol. Photo by Dana Barciniak.

Senator McCain’s wife Cindy follows his casket into the U.S. Capitol. Photo by Dana Barciniak.

U.S. House Chaplain, Reverend Patrick Conroy says an opening prayer at the ceremony to honor Senator

U.S. House Chaplain, Reverend Patrick Conroy says an opening prayer at the ceremony to honor Senator McCain. Senator McCain’s 106-year old mother, Roberta, is seated. Photo by Eric Connolly.

The U.S. Capitol Rotunda. Photo by Eric Connolly.

The U.S. Capitol Rotunda. Photo by Eric Connolly.

Senator McCain Lies in State in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda

Senator John McCain, who also served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, lay in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on August 31, 2018.

The six-term senator, former Republican nominee for president, and courageous prisoner of war died August 25 from brain cancer. He was 81.

Members of the Senate and the House along with Vice President Mike Pence and the President’s Cabinet gathered in the Capitol Rotunda to pay their respects to Senator McCain. McCain’s wife, Cindy, his children, and 106-year old mother also attended.

In his remarks, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan said, “However you choose to do your part, I hope you do it in the way he did – with energy and urgency. Playing for keeps, never back on your heels. Never letting principle yield to expedience. Resisting the false allure of the fleeting and battening down the hatches when things get rough. And always, always having a good story to tell.”

After the ceremony, the Rotunda was opened to the public to pay their respects to the Senator.

Senator McCain is only the 31st person to lie in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. It is an honor reserved for the country’s most distinguished citizens and dates back to 1852. Senator McCain’s casket rested on the same catafalque that was constructed for the coffin of President Abraham Lincoln.