The Legacy of Greatness: a Good Man Honored

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One of America's sons was laid to rest this past week. Family and friends, colleagues and coworkers of Senator John McCain gathered in sacred space to bid farewell to the man they knew as husband, father, friend, and hero. His daughter said it best when she said, "He was a great man."

Politics aside, John McCain, gave us so much. His legacy is one of taking responsibility, making sacrifices, being accountable, telling the truth, saying kind and thoughtful things about others, and standing up for what you believe in. 

As Presidents Bush and Obama gave eulogies, it was almost impossible not to become emotional. Their words, their thoughts, their sharing of their relationship with John McCain was heartfelt, thoughtful and real. To be remembered by people, who often butted heads with you as a great person - a person who made them better - is one of the highest compliment one can receive.

Senator McCain has joined the ranks of many other patriots and heroes of America, some whose names we will never know. Nevertheless, the legacy they leave us is the same. America IS great; Americans ARE resilient. We have what is needed to show the world that our Constitution - the work of our forefathers and mothers - is alive and works for the good of ALL Americans, not a privileged few. 

I am reminded of the final scenes of The Once and Future King, in which King Arthur asks a young page to keep the candle of his dreams burning. This metaphor of a light passing from one to another is often used as visual stimuli for the understand of passing a legacy from one to another. In the eulogies for Senator McCain, we hear this call to keep Liberty's torch held high. 

We, as a nation, have a responsibility to Senator McCain and all who have gone before him to see that this legacy, this gift, this freedom that we enjoy, is not lost in the mire of hate, bigotry and disfunction. 

May Senator McCain rest peacefully, knowing he was a good and faithful servant. May his family be blessed with the joy of memories that ease the sorrow they feel now. And, may we raise Liberty's torch high, never letting it go out. 

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