[G]ov. Phil Scott will attend the funeral this weekend in Washington, D.C., for Sen. John McCain, whom the governor praised for “courage, conviction and civility.”
The memorial service will be held at the Washington National Cathedral on Saturday. President Trump and McCain’s 2008 running mate, Sarah Palin, were not invited to attend. Former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush are expected to deliver remarks.
Scott went to Washington Friday morning on a commercial flight and went to an event honoring McCain just before his body was to lie in state at the Capitol. Scott was one of seven governors to attend the Friday event. Later, he had lunch with Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and his wife Marcelle, a meal Scott said he felt was symbolic of McCain’s efforts to reach across party lines.
Scott said politicians from both sides of the political aisle were at the Friday ceremony, where Vice President Pence and others spoke. (Pence later flew to Vermont for a weekend vacation.)
“I think it’s a time to honor him and to honor his wishes,” said Scott over the controversy about who was invited to the Saturday funeral.
On Sunday, there will be a private funeral service at the Naval Academy in Annapolis. McCain was a Navy pilot and graduated from the academy. He will be buried at the academy cemetery next to his best friend during college. Scott will not be attending the Sunday events.
McCain, who served in Vietman and was held captive for five and a half years, served six terms in the U.S. Senate from Arizona. He died Aug. 25 of brain cancer. He was 81.
Scott never met McCain but greatly admired him. Scott’s father was seriously injured in the D-Day invasion during World War II, was hospitalized for two years and lost both his legs. He died when Scott was 11.
Scott said McCain’s loss was particularly acute given the country’s “need of more and better role models.” Scott does not support many of Trump’s policies. The governor praised McCain’s willingness to work with Democratic senators.
“I admired the way he conducted himself, his independence and putting the good of the country ahead of his own ego,” Scott said Friday of McCain. Scott said he supported McCain’s 2008 presidential bid, where McCain lost to Barack Obama in the general election.
Scott said he attended the Washington events to show respect.
“I thought about the 1,925 days he spent in captivity and if I couldn’t take one day to honor him, then what kind of person am I,” said Scott.
The governor said: “I appreciate the legacy of dignity, character and candor he’s left. I hope he will continue to inspire all of us to be better to each other even when we face difficult times and complex challenges as individuals and as a nation.”
