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WASHINGTON (Associated press contributed to this story) — Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama are expected to speak at Sen. John McCain’s service and he will lie in state in both the nation’s capital and Arizona as part of a cross-country funeral procession ending with his burial at the U.S. Naval Academy, according to plans taking shape Sunday.
McCain had long feuded with President Donald Trump, and two White House officials said McCain’s family had asked, before the senator’s death, that Trump not attend the funeral services. Vice President Mike Pence is likely to attend, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe private discussions.
A day after McCain died of brain cancer at 81, his family, friends and congressional and state leaders were working out details of the farewell to the decorated Vietnam War hero, prisoner of war and six-term senator.
His office said that McCain will lie in state in the Arizona State Capitol on Wednesday. A funeral will be conducted at North Phoenix Baptist Church on Thursday with former Vice President Joe Biden speaking.
The procession will then head to Washington, where McCain will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda on Friday with a formal ceremony and time for the public to pay respects. The next day, the procession will pass the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and head to a funeral at Washington National Cathedral. A private funeral is planned for Sunday at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
Funeral arrangements:
- On Wednesday, August 29, 2018, Senator McCain will lie in state at the Arizona State Capitol, where the public is invited to pay respects and honor the senator’s life and service. At 10:00am local time, a private, formal ceremony inside the Rotunda of the Arizona State Capitol will take place to honor Senator McCain’s life and service to the State of Arizona and the nation. Following the conclusion of the ceremony, the public is welcome to pay their respects to Senator McCain in the Arizona State Capitol Rotunda starting at 2:00pm local time. (livestreamed)
- Thursday Aug. 30: A memorial service to celebrate the life of Senator John McCain will occur at the North Phoenix Baptist Church at 10:00am local time on Thursday, August 30, 2018. Doors open 8:00am local time. All guests need to be in their seats no later than 9:30am local time.
- On Friday, August 31, 2018, Senator McCain will lie in state at the United States Capitol, where the senator’s family, colleagues, staff and the public will honor his life and service. At approximately 11:00am ET, a ceremony will take place in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda honoring the life and service of Senator McCain. (livestreamed)
- On Saturday, September 1 at 10:00am ET, a national memorial service celebrating the life of Senator McCain will take place at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Senator McCain’s family, friends, congressional colleagues and staff, as well as U.S. and international leaders have been invited to attend and participate in the service. (livestreamed)
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