PORTLAND, Maine (AP)   Republican Sen. Susan Collins is remembering her friend John McCain as a “towering figure” who had no use for partisan games. Collins said the war hero and Republican senator from Arizona wanted to solve problems.

The two were friends who participated in numerous fact-finding missions to hotspots like Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Yemen. They also were part of several so-called “gangs” of Republican and Democratic senators who tackled tough issues, like coming up with a framework for ending a government shutdown in 2013.

McCain died at age 81 on Aug. 25 after battling brain cancer.

Collins was among dignitaries at a remembrance Friday in Washington. She’ll also be attending his funeral on Saturday at the National Cathedral. Former Defense Secretary Bill Cohen of Maine will be one of the pallbearers.