Paying their respects in his home state

As John McCain’s hearse traveled Saturday night to Phoenix, hundreds of people lined overpasses and thronged to a funeral home to pay their respects.

“A lot of them were sobbing, sighing. They were also waving their hands in thanksgiving,” said Chuck

Lehtinen, who had followed McCain’s political career since the 1970s and made it there in time to witness the senator’s last ride home.

“This was a tremendous loss,” he said. “A tremendous man who didn’t care about political parties, but cared about the people he served.”

Lehtinen and his wife stayed a while after the hearse had disappeared into the funeral home, and even after the police motorcycle escort roared out of the driveway and into the night.

They weren’t alone. Dozens lingered with them, many holding hands. Two people held a huge U.S. flag aloft in front of the mortuary’s front sign, which read in glowing letters: “Dignity.”’ was facing some criticism at the time for his stance on spending issues, and as McCain made his way to the back of the plane, Flake said, he thought to himself, “Oh no, he’s going to go after me, too.”

“And he put his finger in my chest and just said, ‘Don’t back down,’ “Flake said. “He said, ‘You’re in the right, and they’ll come around.’ And it was all that I needed, and from that time forward, I really appreciated him and his friendship and his advice.” five years in prison there. On Sunday, a memorial was held at the lake, with residents leaving flowers to remember McCain.

One resident, Nguyen Van Trung, said McCain “fought for peace in many countries, including Vietnam.”

Another resident, Hoang Thi Trang, says that to the Vietnamese people, McCain “was not only a companion in resolving postwar issues, but also a friend.” entire life to his country.”

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron bid farewell to a “brave, principled and inspiring leader.”