Vietnam veteran gives Cindy McCain his war medallion

A Vietnam War veteran decided to give his military medallion to Cindy McCain as she left an Arizona funeral home following the death of her husband, decorated Vietnam prisoner of war Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

David Carrasco was one of several well-wishers, The Washington Post reported Monday, who came to pay their respects to the Arizona Republican, who died on Saturday at the age of 81.

{mosads}“This was given to me at one of the ceremonies for Vietnam veterans,” Carrasco told Cindy McCain. “It would be my honor to present this to you on our behalf.”

Carrasco said he came to honor McCain and was surprised when Cindy McCain, dressed in black and wearing black sunglasses, walked out of the funeral home and began talking to him.

“I gave her a medallion that was presented to me over two years ago, during Operation Freedom Bird,” Carrasco told The Post. “When she came out, that was the first thought that came to me. I wanted to give her something that related to her husband’s service.”

The medallion included a yellow and red ribbon and an American flag, the newspaper noted.

Carrasco said he wanted Cindy McCain to feel comfort knowing that other Vietnam vets where there supporting her husband.

“I couldn’t help but get somewhat emotional. I didn’t think I would get emotional,” he said. “But to know that someone from his era was here, it probably meant a lot to her. Even though her husband isn’t here, we’re here.”

He told the newspaper he will be there, outside the funeral home, until Wednesday when John McCain’s body will be moved to lie in state at the Arizona Capitol. 

He will then lie in state at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. 

McCain died after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer, a diagnosis first revealed last year.

McCain was tortured for years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, where he refused preferential release because he did not want to leave his fellow prisoners of war behind.

He will receive a full dress funeral service at the Washington National Cathedral later this week and will be buried at the U.S. Naval Academy, from which he graduated in 1958, on Sunday.

President Trump will not be in attendance at the funeral, but multiple White House officials will be representing the administration.