I just received a phone call from former U.S. senator Max Cleland, who had only one thing to say about the death of his former colleague, John McCain of Arizona:

"His entire life was the definition of American patriotism."

Above is a photo taken shortly after Cleland went to the U.S. Senate in 1997, of Vietnam veterans in the chamber. McCain was the only one left.

In the photo, Cleland is at the center, obviously. Behind him, left to right: Bob Kerrey, D-Neb.; Chuck Hagel, R-Neb.; John Kerry, D-Mass.; Chuck Robb, D-Va.; and McCain.

A reader points out that one Vietnam vet is left, who wasn’t in office at the time of the above photo: U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del.

John McCain Fast Facts

About the Author

Featured

Fans celebrate in the stands after Cape Verde defeated Eswatini in a World Cup qualifying soccer match at Estádio Nacional in Praia, Cape Verde, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, to clinch their qualification for the 2026 World Cup. (Cristiano Barbosa/AP)

Credit: AP