It was with sadness that I witnessed the passing of another hero, U.S. Sen. John McCain.

McCain was, for me, an example of how an imperfect man can rise above events that challenge and test him; and do so because of an unfaltering belief in things greater than himself, such as his country and its Constitution, for which he sacrificed and stood up, and the people of this country in whom he believed and for whom he stood up.

It also is with sadness that I contrast McCain with others whose vision of greatness for themselves, this country and the world appear to be no greater than their sometimes-bloated sense of self.

How wonderful it is, however, that there are men and women like McCain all around. They are in government, in the workplace, in our schools. Perhaps the best way to honor McCain would be to recognize and value in others, and maybe even in ourselves, the qualities he exemplified.

Robert Makinodan

Nuuanu