Shutterstock
Arizona Senator John McCain died on Saturday, Aug. 25 at the age of 81. The former presidential candidate and American war hero announced in the summer of 2017 that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. His family announced he would no longer undergo treatment on Friday, Aug. 24, and he passed away surrounded by his loved ones a day later.
Born on Aug. 29, 1936 John Sidney McCain III would go on to be a decorated politician and military veteran. Having attended the Naval Academy, McCain served from 1958-1981 where he was a Captain during the Vietnam War. McCain was almost killed during the war when his plane was shot down and he was captured. McCain was a prisoner of war by the North Vietnamese from 1967-1973. McCain earned a Silver Star Medal, three Bronze Star Medals with Combat “V,” a Purple Heart Medal, two Legion of Merit medals with Combat “V,” the Distinguished Flying Cross, and two Commendation Medals, among others.
He then continued to serve the country with a lengthy career in politics.
In honor of McCain, we look back at some of his wisest moments.
Below are some of the best quotes and most inspirational sayings from the American hero.
“In prison, I fell in love with my country. I had loved her before then, but like most young people, my affection was little more than a simple appreciation for the comforts and privileges most Americans enjoyed and took for granted. It wasn’t until I had lost America for a time that I realized how much I loved her. ” — Faith of My Fathers: A Family Memoir
“Americans Never Quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We Make History.”
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but the capacity to act despite our fears.”
“It is your character, and your character alone, that will make your life happy or unhappy.” — Character Is Destiny: Inspiring Stories Every Young Person Should Know and Every Adult Should Remember
“I DON’T BELIEVE IN DESTINY. WE ARE NOT BORN TO BECOME ONE THING OR ANOTHER, left to follow helplessly a course that was charted for us by some unseen hand, a mysterious alignment of the stars that pulls us in a certain direction, bestowing happiness on some and misfortune on others.” — Character Is Destiny: Inspiring Stories Every Young Person Should Know and Every Adult Should Remember
“No just cause is futile, even if it’s lost, if it helps make the future better than the past.”
“Nothing in life is more liberating than to fight for a cause larger than yourself, something that encompasses you, but is not defined by your existence alone.” — Fear of My Fathers
“Nothing, not the valor with which it is fought nor the nobility of the cause it serves, can glorify war. War is wretched beyond description, and only a fool or a fraud could sentimentalize its cruel reality.”
“It’s very important to lose gracefully. You know, no bitterness, no anger, no remorse – can’t display that.” — Esquire
“I don’t have a complaint. Not one. It’s been quite a ride… I made a small place for myself in the story of America and the history of my times.” — The Restless Wave
