Locals attend services for Senator McCain

Hundreds lined the streets as Senator John McCain’s body was transported from the Arizona State Capitol to North Phoenix Baptist Church for a memorial service.

Local Yuma residents were some of the thousands inside of the church.

“They captured John McCain, the man, in a beautiful way and it was a real befitting, send off to a great American hero,” said Phil Townsend.

“It was very moving, very inspirational. The speakers and the reverends for Senator McCain when he came in with the military presence and his wife. It was just very honoring,” described Rep. Tim Dunn.

Townsend had a personal relationship with McCain for decades and even served as his driver when he visited Yuma.

Townsend said McCain loved Yuma.

“He really did a lot of work to really bring things to Yuma and help Yuma grow and prosper. From the military to our heritage area. He really loved Yuma and was a great assistance to us on the national level,” said Townsend.

Rep. Dunn said that he felt like he was representing Legislative District 13 at the services and will take home a lesson.

“Working with him just on different bills, whether we agreed with the bills or not, we always had a chance to talk about those issues when he’d come out to Arizona and Yuma,” said Dunn. “It’s just having that relationship open dialogue. I think that’s what I’m going to take home as a legislator. That I need to make sure I have my doors open to understand and talk to people.”

Services for McCain are expected to continue in Washington D.C.