I met Senator John McCain a few times over the years, most notably in a small group about to embark on a two week trip to Vietnam in 1996, just a year after the US had normalized relations with Vietnam, thanks in large part to Senator McCain’s tireless efforts.

You would think that a man shot down, beaten and held captive for 5 long years, with permanent restrictive physical limitations as a result, would not make economic prosperity and growth for Vietnam a priority. But he did and he committed to it because he believed it was in our national interest to foster relations that would further peace and prosperity in the world.

I respected him for his ability to put country first despite horrific circumstances, and for his incredible dry wit and humor. When I met with him that day he asked, with a glint in his eye, that I pay my respects to a statue erected in Hanoi in his “honor."—it turns out the statue to which he referred was one erected by the Vietnamese in the pond where he landed after his plane was shot down. This reference, and the glint in McCain’s eye, stuck with me as I observed the statue later in Hanoi. Here was a man who could seemingly overcome anything and rise above it, even with a smile. I wanted to be like him.

I didn’t agree with him on many things, and was often frustrated with his position on gun policy, but I respected that he could be his own man and follow a set of principles more compelling than party or organizational politics. It is his maverick qualities that caused him to break with the NRA on some fairly important issues. And his spirit of determination is one that all of us in this movement must keep close to our hearts. As he said in his farewell message, “Americans never quit. We never surrender.." And we certainly will not on the issue of gun violence prevention.

As we mourn the loss of senator McCain, the impact in our current political environment is profound. Now, more than ever, we need leaders like John McCain who have the courage of their convictions and will be guided by a duty to the American people beyond simple party politics, but shaped by a view that our policies should reflect our country’s true promise and greatness, including an America free from the epidemic of gun violence.

Thank you for your words and inspiration, Senator McCain. Rest In Peace.