A makeshift memorial has been growing outside of the funeral home in Phoenix where Sen John McCain’s body is being held ahead of a cross-country farewell later this week.
The 81-year-old died Saturday afternoon surrounded by loved ones at his family’s ranch in Sedona, Arizona, following a year-long battle with aggressive brain cancer.
McCain’s passing has been met with an outpouring of praise and gratitude for his decades of service to his country including in the Navy and as longtime US senator.
An Honor Guard has been stationed outside of the mortuary where McCain’s body is resting as mourners of all ages visit to pay their respects – including one man who was photographed saluting the Guard’s American flag.
A makeshift memorial has been growing outside of A L Moore Grimshaw Mortuary in Phoenix where Sen John McCain’s body is being held ahead of a cross-country farewell later this week
An Honor Guard has been stationed outside of the funeral home next to the memorial site
A touching photograph shows a man saluting the Guard’s American flag on Monday morning
Dozens of small gifts including American flags, candles flowers and photographs have been piling up in front of the A L Moore Grimshaw Mortuary since McCain’s passing.
A steady stream of mourners were photographed as they paused to reflect at the site and pay their respects to the American patriot.
The Honor Guard was holding a Navy flag and a Prisoners of War flag in honor of the Naval pilot who was held captive for five years during the Vietnam War.
An Honor Guard holds a Prisoner of War flag with the words: ‘You are not forgotten’
Richard Means, a member of the POW/MIA/KIA Honor Guard, as well as National American Indian Veterans, stands guard outside the mortuary where McCain’s body is held
A steady stream of mourners were photographed as they paused to reflect at the mortuary
A woman crouches down near the growing pile of gifts at the makeshift memorial in Phoenix
Several makeshift memorials have been set up throughout the city of Phoenix
On Wednesday McCain will lie in state at the Arizona Capitol, which would have been his 82nd birthday.
The following day his remains will be transported to Washington, DC, for his burial ceremony.
A private ceremony will take place inside the state Capitol Rotunda on Wednesday at 10am PST. The public is then invited to pay their respects to McCain from 2pm – 8pm PST.
On Thursday, there will be a memorial service celebrating his life and legacy at North Phoenix Baptist Church in Arizona at 10am PST. He will be flown to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland in the evening.
McCain died Saturday afternoon of brain cancer at his ranch near Sedona, Arizona, at age 81
His funeral journey will begin Wednesday in his home state of Arizona, at the Capitol in Phoenix (pictured), on what would have been his 82nd birthday
He will be lain in state in the U.S. Capitol rotunda in Washington DC on Thursday
Across the country in Washington, DC, McCain’s former campaign staffers were photographed in tears outside the senator’s office in the Russell Senate Building.
Ashley Harper and Michael Harper were seen with their two young sons Culhane and Fincher, gazing at a plaque bearing McCain’s name.
Nearby at the Smithsonian National Museum visitors have been leaving notes next to a photo of the prominent politician.
McCain served as Arizona senator for more than four decades beginning in 1986 and ran for president two times, once in 2000 and a second time in 2008.
He has been remembered as a dutiful public servant who dedicated his life to the American people.
On Monday morning the New York Stock Exchange in Manhattan held a moment of silence for McCain.
McCain’s former campaign staffers Ashley Harper and Michael Harper visited McCain’s office in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, DC, to pay respects on Monday morning
Ashley wipes away a tear while her husband talks to their young boys Culhane and Fincher
Visitors have left messages in a notebook next to a photograph of McCain on display at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC on Monday
An image of the late senator was displayed on a screen during a moment of silence for McCain prior to the opening bell on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Monday
People on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange bowed their heads in respect