CNN confirmed the passing of Arizona Senator John McCain on August 25, 2018. Sen. McCain is a Vietnam veteran who survived five years as a prisoner of war. He ended up serving 30 years in Congress and later became the Republican nominee for president in 2008.

McCain was originally diagnosed with brain cancer last summer. McCain originally went to a hospital to remove a blood clot above his left eye, when doctors discovered the cancerous tumor. He immediately returned to Congress after surgery to take part in the Senate's health care debate.

Senator McCain spent the past few months away from Congress and out of the public eye, in Arizona reflecting on his life and spending time with close friends and former political rivals.

McCain published a memoir in May saying he hated to leave the world but had no complaints. McCain said he's lived well and deprived of all comforts. He's experienced the darkest of times and the highest exultation.

John McCain absent from Congress but still fought bad policies

Senator McCain had been absent from Washington since last December, leaving a void in the Senate he walked for decades. Despite being away from DC, he still managed to blast Pres. Donald Trump on Twitter, posting statements that showed he was still strong enough to put up a political fight. McCain was against Trump's "America First," policy saying it was a clear shift from the values of and traditions of the leadership that he saw epitomized in the country.

Fox News has reported that Senator McCain had been planning his funeral for the last year, and he has invited many of his political allies and rivals. However, he and his family made it clear that President Trump is not invited.

The McCain family have requested former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush give euologies.

McCain fell short of ultimate political prize

Senator McCain ended up losing two presidential campaigns but fell short of becoming President of the United States. His legacy once seemed to be the perfect fit for president. McCain got involved in politics after coming home from Vietnam.

John was a major anomaly in the Republican party, becoming one of a select few willing to criticize President Trump. John McCain first served as a Navy Senate liaison, ending up taking over the seat held by Barry Goldwater. He did not always see eye-to-eye with his fellow Republicans. He blasted former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld for not having enough troops in Iraq. McCain leaves behind his wife Cindy, seven children and five grandchildren.