Senator John McCain celebrates Independence Day with US service members

PHOENIX — Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) Independence Day with United States service members overseas at Camp Resolute Support in Kabul, Afghanistan.

“I can think of no place I would rather be on the day our country celebrates its independence than with the men and women selflessly serving overseas,” McCain said in a released press release. “It is always my special privilege to meet with Arizona’s own service men and women, and preside over the reenlistment of troops from across our great country, who have made the ultimate commitment so that we might to continue to rely on their courage and patriotism.”

Since the attack on the World Trade Center in 2001, the Arizona senator has made it a tradition to spend Independence Day overseas with American troopers.

“These brave individuals epitomize love of country, forged by generations of Americans who came before them to fight and die for freedom,” McCain continued. “They have dedicated themselves to securing the liberties we so often take for granted, but that make our nation what it is today — a beacon of hope to all people help captive by oppression, violence and intolerance. As we celebrate Independence Day, may we show our gratitude and keep in our prayers the brave and selfless patriots serving around the world and their families, who shoulder our burdens every day to protect our freedom and keep us safe from harm.”

KTAR Assistant News Director Martha Maurer reached out to the senator and he expressed how important spending the holiday with the troops overseas.

“Spending time and having meals with our troops, including a special meal with all of our troops that here from Arizona,” McCain told Maurer.

This is the ninth Independence Day in the last ten years McCain has traveled to the Middle East to spend the holiday with American service members.

KTAR’s Martha Maurer contributed to this report.

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