NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Father’s Day Council announced today that Senator John McCain has been posthumously named a 2019 “Father of the Year” Honoree. Senator McCain’s award will be presented at the 78th Annual Father of the Year Awards at the New York Hilton Midtown Hotel on Thursday, June 13, 2019, at 12:00 p.m. Tom Kingsbury, President, CEO and Chairman of Burlington Stores, Inc., will also be honored as a 2019 “Father of the Year.” As part of the Council’s commitment to supporting meaningful charitable organizations that impact mothers, fathers and children, this year’s luncheon will benefit Save the Children’s U.S. Programs and Action Network. For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Council office at 212-594-5977 or www.fathersdaycouncil.org.
The son and grandson of Navy Admirals, Senator McCain served as a naval aviator for 22 years following his 1958 graduation from the Naval Academy. While on his 23rd mission over North Vietnam, Senator McCain’s plane was struck by a missile, forcing him to eject, which resulted in the breaking of both of his arms and a leg. Senator McCain then spent years as a prisoner of war in the infamous “Hanoi Hilton,” where he was subjected to torture and denied necessary medical treatment.
Following his release, Senator McCain regained his naval flight status and served as a naval liaison to the United States Senate. He retired from the Navy in 1981 with naval honors including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona in 1982 and the U.S. Senate in 1986. Senator McCain was also the Republican Party’s nominee for president in the 2008 election with Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. During his time as senator, McCain served as Chairman of the Senate Committees on Indian Affairs; Commerce, Science and Transportation; and Armed Services.
Senator McCain died of brain cancer in August 2018. He is survived by his wife, Cindy, seven children, and five grandchildren.
“Senator John McCain led a life of dignified service, from his time as a Navy pilot to his long and principled career in the U.S. Senate, where he was known for his honesty and forthrightness,” said Dan Orwig, President and CEO of the Father’s Day / Mother’s Day Council. “We are humbled to honor Senator McCain, a true American hero, who displayed an unwavering commitment to both his family and our country.”
The National Father’s Day / Mother’s Day Council, Inc. has donated more than $30 million to date to meaningful charities nationwide.
About the National Father’s Day Council, Inc.
The National Father’s Day Committee is part of the Father’s Day / Mother’s Day Council, Inc., a non-profit association whose mission is to recognize and award honors to role model contemporary fathers and mothers, while at the same time contributing to issues affecting the life and well-being of men, women and families. Past honorees have included Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan; Generals Douglas MacArthur, Colin Powell and Norman Schwarzkopf; retail veteran Terry Lundgren; sports notables Arthur Ashe, Jim Kelly and Michael “Coach K” Krzyzewski; and communications leaders Tim Russert and Harry Smith. To learn more about the National Father’s Day Council, visit our website at www.fathersdaycouncil.org.
About Save the Children’s U.S. Programs
Nearly 1 in 5 children in the United States lives in poverty. Save the Children works to break the cycle of poverty and improve the lives of children in this country by ensuring that they have the resources they need to succeed in school and life. With a grassroots network of more than 250,000 people across all 50 states, Save the Children also acts as a voice for kids by advocating for increased access to high-quality early childhood education at the federal, state and local levels. Early learning programs that begin during pregnancy and continue until the child reaches kindergarten are key to ensuring that children enter school ready for success. For more information, visit www.savethechildren.org/usa.
