Ben Vasquez waited in the long line with thousands of others to pay respects to Sen. John McCain in Washington, D.C. Friday.
Vasquez, an Arizona resident, was moved by McCain's eloquence and compassion. It compelled Vasquez to come say "goodbye."
"Even though I wasn't related to him I felt connected to him because he was a beautiful man," Vasquez told 12 News. "He and his family were one of few things that could unite Arizonans."
Vasquez, a federal employee, recalled seeing McCain often while traveling between Arizona and Washington, D.C. He was always humble.
"What I loved is that he was always a respectful man," Vasquez said.
He held back tears in the Capitol as he bid farewell.