Arizona military stand at attention to pay tribute to Sen. John McCain

PHOENIX — Arizona military — veterans and current personnel — were among the early arrivals Wednesday at the State Capitol as the first of two days of memorials for Sen. John McCain were scheduled.

Hours before the hearse carrying McCain’s body made its way from Moore-Grimshaw Mortuary at Seventh Avenue and Bethany Home Road to Wesley Bolin Plaza at 17th Avenue and Washington Street, men and women in uniform stood and waited.

“He was my hero. He was a uniter for veterans and for the country,” veteran Raymond Gonzalez, a Phoenix native said on what would have been McCain’s 82nd birthday.

McCain’s body will lie in state at the capitol. A private service was scheduled to begin in the rotunda at 10 a.m. Public viewing will begin at 2 p.m.

Gonzalez also paid his respects to the senator, who died of brain cancer last Saturday at this ranch near Sedona, with a stop at the mortuary.

Dozens of military veterans arriving at the Arizona State Capitol where Senator John McCain will lie in state today. ⁦@AZMorningNews⁩ ⁦@KTAR923⁩ pic.twitter.com/0qERk26jfv

— Jim Cross (@Crossfire923) August 29, 2018

Line of veterans, bikers, and others lining 17th Street in front of the AZ State Capitol … waiting to do honor to @SenJohnMcCain when his procession comes by around 9:50 AM. @KTAR923 pic.twitter.com/uJxmAJ0UTX

— Kathy Cline (@ClineKathleen) August 29, 2018

Another veteran, Valentine Costalez, has been part of the honor guard on duty outside the mortuary since Saturday, when McCain’s body arrived.

“I’m happy being here for him because he was for me when I was in Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He went out there to visit us when I was over there with the Arizona Army National Guard.

“I appreciate what he did for us … and I’m going to do this for him as long as I can,” Costalez said.

Speakers at the service included and wreath presenters included Father Edward A. Reese, Gov. Doug Ducey, former Sen. Jon Kyl, Sen. Jeff Flake, and Rep. James Kolbe.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jim Cross contributed to this report.

KTAR News 92.3 FM will air commercial-free coverage of the Arizona memorial service for Sen. John McCain from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday.

Related

Details announced for John McCain's memorial service in ArizonaFormer Vice President Joe Biden to speak at McCain service in PhoenixMemorial service honoring US Sen. John McCain set for ThursdayEmotional farewell to Sen. John McCain held at Arizona CapitolKimberly Yee leading Tom Horne in bitter GOP primary for Arizona schools chiefWarren Petersen claims victory in GOP primary for Arizona attorney general