Venerated? Look, I won't ever disparage his service or his sacrifice but venerated is a strong word for a guy who pretty much nobody actually likes even if they admire his service.
A bunch of fellow Vietnam vets don’t venerate him. I personally consider him one-half a notch above John Kerry. Your own imagination and judgment can tell you how low that is. Even IF McCain was a hero in Nam, he’s been a sleazy, turncoat ratface scumbag as a senator. IMHO.