Veterans groups hand out USS John McCain shirts on National Mall during Trump speech

Progressive groups VoteVets and Rags of Honor followed through on their promise to hand out “USS John McCain” t-shirts to people during President Trump’s July Fourth address..

VoteVets shared photos online showing a number of people sporting the shirts during the “Salute to America” event on the National Mall on Thursday.

There are lots of #McCain4th fans of all sizes celebrating #independenceday on the National Mall in DC! pic.twitter.com/VY1MXgXWgp

— VoteVets (@votevets) July 5, 2019

Bonus points for this #McCain4th shot! Thanks Jesse! pic.twitter.com/sVgD8J31gC

— VoteVets (@votevets) July 5, 2019

#McCain4th Little Miss Adorable! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/5lXBfAQCWA

— Iryna Verity (@Iryna_Verity) July 4, 2019

Some lawmakers, including Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) also shared photos while wearing the shirts.

Ready for #July4th fireworks in Hoffman Estates! Proud to honor @SenJohnMcCain – a true American hero. @HoffmanTweets pic.twitter.com/BBLPwcgDqH

— Tammy Duckworth (@SenDuckworth) July 4, 2019

Did I watch the campaign speech of @realDonaldTrump at the event where @GOP RNC doled out VIP passes to the #TrumpParade? NO.

I had more important things to do, such as rearranging my sock drawer.

Also, thank you @votevets for the super cool T-shirt. pic.twitter.com/KSRm1o2HbF

— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) July 4, 2019

The shirts depict the USS John S. McCain with its nickname, “Big Bad John.”

The groups decided to hand out the shirts following reports earlier this year that the White House asked the Navy to “minimize visibility” of the Navy destroyer during Trump’s visit to Japan earlier this year, given the president’s feud with the late GOP senator and Vietnam War veteran John McCain (Ariz.)

“We had a lot of policy battles with Sen. McCain, and fights on issues of war, but we always respected his service, and his sacrifice,” Jon Soltz, Iraq War veteran and Chair of VoteVets, told The Hill of its decision to distribute the shirts on the Mall.

“July 4 is about coming together as a country, to celebrate what has bound us together since 1776 – the belief in something bigger than yourself. While VoteVets and John McCain never much saw eye-to-eye on policy,” he continued in a statement, “and probably still would not if he was around today, his family’s service to America spoke to that sense of realizing this nation is bigger than just one man.” 

“Honoring that kind legacy – especially of a political opponent’s – seemed fitting for July 4,” Soltz added.

Trump spoke for 45 minutes Thursday evening at the Lincoln Memorial, focusing much of his Independence Day address on celebrating U.S. armed forces.