"He Is a Hero": Latter-day Saint Politicians Share Tributes to Sen. John McCain After His Death

Senator John McCain, a Vietnam war hero and senator from Arizona, passed away on Saturday from a brain tumor.

While serving as a naval bomber pilot in the Vietnam war, Sen. McCain's plane was shot down. Though he survived, he broke both arms and shattered a leg and was eventually captured as a prisoner of war, where he spent five years enduring torture at the hands of his captures. 

Though the torture affected him for life, it was while he was a prisoner of war that Sen. McCain fell in love with his country like never before.

"I fell in love with my country when I was a prisoner in someone else's," McCain said in his 2008 Republican National Convention speech. "I loved it because it was not just a place, but an idea, a cause worth fighting for. I was never the same again; I wasn't my own man anymore; I was my country's."

After his eventual release, John McCain began his 40 years in politics, serving the country he had come to love so much. 

And after his recent passing, many in politics have shared tributes to his political and military service and sacrifice. 

Here are just a few of these tributes from Latter-day Saint politicians.

Mitt Romney:

When Sen. McCain stopped treatment on Friday, Mitt Romney tweeted this message:

And after Sen. McCain's death, Romney also wrote:

"No person this century better exemplifies the great qualities of patriotism than John McCain. Ones like him don’t come along very often. Ann and I will miss him a great deal. He is a hero. He is a friend."

Utah Senator Orrin Hatch:

Sen. Orrin Hatch tweeted this message on Friday:

Sen. Hatch also sent out this statement following Sen. McCain's death:

"Today, I join millions in mourning the passing of Senator John McCain," Sen. Orrin Hatch said in a statement. "Over a lifetime of selfless service, John came to embody the very pinnacle of American virtue. Courage, commitment, integrity and sacrifice: these are the precepts he lived by and by which he will always be remembered. No one is more worthy of the word ‘hero’ than John McCain. The Senate—indeed, the nation—will miss the steady, guiding presence of a principled statesman."

Utah Sen. Mike Lee:

"My heart aches for Cindy, Meghan, and the rest of the McCain family. With John’s passing, they’ve lost a loving husband, father, and family member, and the country has lost a true American hero. It was an honor serving with him in the US Senate, and my wife Sharon and I will continue to pray for his family as they celebrate and reflect on a life well lived."

Utah Rep. Mia Love:

"As an American, I am very grateful for the life, service & sacrifice of Senator John McCain," Love said in a statement. "His brave fight as a prisoner of war, a principled Senator and during his illness speak to his outstanding character. My thoughts and prayers are with his family & friends tonight."

Utah Rep. Chris Stewart:

"A patriot, war hero, true American and incredible Senator. John McCain lived a life full of courage with continued dedication to his country. My prayers are with the McCain family at this time," Stewart shared in a statement.

Utah Governor Gary Herbert

Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake:

Senator Harry Reid:

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