Former presidents Barack Obama and George W Bush are among mourners at a service for Senator John McCain at Washington’s National Cathedral.
The Vietnam War hero, who became one of America’s most high-profile politicians, died a week ago from brain cancer at the age of 81.
President Donald Trump is not attending the memorial service.
The two Republicans had major differences, both personal and political.
McCain’s family made it clear that Mr. Trump was not welcome at the memorial services in the state of Arizona – which McCain represented as senator – and Washington, or at Sunday’s private burial service in Annapolis, Maryland, at the US Naval Academy.
Members of the Trump administration who are present include the president’s daughter Ivanka and son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
‘American greatness’
McCain’s daughter Megan was first to speak, paying an emotional tribute.
“He was a great man,” she told mourners at the cathedral.
“We gather here to mourn the passing of American greatness, the real thing, not cheap rhetoric from men who will never come near the sacrifice he gave so willingly, nor the opportunistic appropriation of those who live lives of comfort and privilege while he suffered and served.
“The America of John McCain is generous and welcoming and bold, she is resourceful and confident and secure, she meets her responsibilities, she speaks quietly because she is strong. America does not boast, because she does not need to. The America of John McCain has no need to be made great again because America was always great.”
Former presidents Obama and Bush – each of whom beat McCain in his twin presidential campaigns – will also deliver eulogies.
Other speakers included ex-Senator Joe Lieberman and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.
McCain’s body was taken from his home to a church in Phoenix, Arizona, on Thursday for a commemoration led by former US Vice-President Joe Biden.
It was then taken to Washington to lie in state at the Capitol.
On the way to the cathedral on Saturday morning, the cortege stopped at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, where McCain’s wife Cindy laid a wreath.
Maverick
Before he went into politics, McCain was a US Navy pilot who was shot down over Hanoi while on a bombing mission in 1967.
He was held as a prisoner until 1973, enduring torture that – along with the injuries he sustained bailing out of his jet – left him with life-long injuries.
While deeply conservative on some issues, the Arizona senator had a maverick streak that endeared him to political friends and opponents.
He championed reform of US immigration, campaign finance, and environmental laws, and was outspoken in criticising those who advocated what he considered torture against captured enemies of the US.
Pallbearers at Saturday’s service reflect his desire to reach across political divides.
They include Hollywood actor and liberal political activist Warren Beatty; former independent New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg; liberal former Senator Russ Feingold, who drew up campaign finance reform legislation with McCain; and Russian opposition politician Vladimir Kara Murza.
Source: BBC
