July 21 (UPI) — The late Sen. Lindsey Graham will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda next week ahead of funeral services in Washington, D.C., and his home state of South Carolina, lawmakers announced Tuesday.
Senate Republican leader John Thune, R-S.D., announced the plans to honor the senator, who died July 12, two days after his 71st birthday. His is expected to lie in state July 28.
“As we say our final goodbyes, it seems fitting for his friends and colleagues to give back to him through this special Capitol honor,” Thune said in a statement published by Politico.
Graham’s body will then be taken to the Washington National Cathedral, where there will be an invite-only ceremony, which President Donald Trump is expected to attend. Sen. Darline Graham Nordone, Graham’s sister and replacement in the Senate, announced the funeral plans Tuesday.
After the service in Washington, D.C., Graham’s body is scheduled to be transported to South Carolina, where services will be held July 29, The Hill reported. There will be a funeral procession accompanied by an F-16 flyover by the 169th Fighter Wing of the McEntire Joint National Guard Base, followed by a church service before a private family burial in Pickens County, South Carolina.
“I am grateful to all those who have come together to help honor and remember Lindsey,” Nordone Graham said in a statement.
“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to President Trump and his team, Washington National Cathedral, Senate leadership, First Baptist Church of Columbia and the Senate Sergeant at Arms for going above and beyond to ensure these will be honorable tributes to Lindsey.”
Sam Neill
Actor Sam Neill attends a photo call for “Sweet Country” at the Venice Film Festival in Italy on September 5, 2017. Neill, best known for his roles in “Jurassic Park” and “The Hunt for Red October,” died at the age of 78 on July 13. Photo by Rune Hellestad/ UPI | License Photo
