Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., delivers remarks at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., Monday, Oct. 30, 2017. McCain, who graduated from the Academy in 1958, returned to his alma mater to address the Brigade of Midshipmen on leadership and service to the nation. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Longtime Arizona Senator John McCain has passed away, according to his family and his office. He was 81 years old.

McCain, who had been battling an aggressive brain cancer diagnosed in 2017, made the decision late this week to discontinue treatment.

The Arizona Republican ran for president twice – including a campaign as the GOP nominee in 2008 – and was a war hero who spent more than five years imprisoned in a North Vietnamese prison. He was at times respected and vilified by both sides of the aisle, often seen as too liberal for conservative politicians and too conservative for liberal politicians.

Nonetheless, his record of service for his country speaks for itself, and we chose to honor that service today. While we may not have agreed with McCain at times, his story is still an inspiring one. It is the story of someone who did what he thought best for his country, which is something we can respect even in disagreement.

He fought a long, hard battle. May he rest in peace. Thank you, Senator, for your service to your country.