John McCain’s body arrived by motorcade Wednesday morning at the Arizona State Capitol, where the senator will lie in state through Thursday morning.
His friends throughout government spoke at a private ceremony in the rotunda.
Sen. Jeff Flake, former Arizona congressman Jim Kolbe and former Sen. Jon Kyle offered memories of McCain in front of his flag-draped coffin.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey spoke of McCain's resilience and strong principles, calling him the state’s “favorite adopted son.”
“Imagining Arizona without John McCain is like picturing Arizona without the Grand Canyon,” he said. “It’s just not natural.”
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Ducey remarked on McCain’s resilience and strong principles.
“When John McCain called on us to serve a purpose greater than one's own self-interest, it wasn't a talking point designed to win the next election,” Ducey said. “It was how he had actually lived his life and continued to live his life. It's how he wanted us to live ours.”
At the end of the ceremony, McCain’s wife, Cindy, and his children approached his casket one by one. While most wore solemn, composed expressions, his daughter Meghan heaved and cried, with one hand on her stomach, before slowly walking away.
The public is invited to pay their respects while McCain lies in state. The rotunda will be open until 8 p.m. Wednesday night, but will stay open late enough to accommodate everyone in line.
