Former Vice President Joe Biden to speak at McCain service in Phoenix

PHOENIX — Former Vice President Joe Biden was scheduled to speak at the Phoenix memorial service for U.S. Sen. John McCain later this week, a family spokesman said Monday.

The memorial for the longtime Republican politician was set for Thursday at 10 a.m. at North Phoenix Baptist Church.

Biden and McCain served together on Capitol Hill for more than two decades, when Biden was a Democratic senator from Delaware.

McCain died Aug. 25, after a yearlong battle with brain cancer — glioblastoma — the same type that led to the death of Biden’s son Beau in 2015.

“Her dad is one of my best friends,” Biden said during a December visit with Meghan McCain on TV’s “The View.”

“Her dad goes after me hammer and tongs. We’re like two brothers who were somehow raised by different fathers because of our points of view,” Biden said, laughing.

Biden went to see McCain at his ranch near Sedona in May.

In October, Biden presented McCain with the National Constitution Center’s Liberty Medal.

McCain was given the annual award because of his “lifetime of sacrifice and service” for the American people, the center said in the release.

The families became closer during McCain’s illness.

“Your dad — you may remember when you were a little kid — your dad took care of my Beau. Your dad … became friends with Beau and Beau talked about your dad’s courage. Not about illness, but about courage,” Biden said during the TV appearance that brought Meghan McCain to tears.

A motorcade will bring McCain’s body to the church, Rick Davis, a former campaign manager of McCain’s, said.

“It will be on opportunity for folks to say ‘hi’ to John as he comes by,” Davis said.

After the service, McCain’s body will be flown to Washington, D.C., to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Friday.

McCain will be laid to rest Sunday at the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery, after a private service at the academy chapel.

Follow @KTAR923