Lindsey Graham being honored in Capitol memorial services

WASHINGTON —

Sen. Lindsey Graham, the son of pool hall owners who rose to become one of his generation’s more influential U.S. politicians at home and abroad, will be eulogized Tuesday during memorial services across Washington.

Watch live footage in the video player.

Services in the nation’s capital will begin with an arrival ceremony at the U.S. Capitol building.

In recognition of Graham’s decades of service in the Air Force, his remains will be carried into the U.S. Capitol by an Armed Forces Body Bearer Team. Once his remains arrive at the Rotunda, the Body Bearer Team will be replaced by a U.S. Capitol Police memorial guard in recognition of his service in the U.S. Senate.

There will be a short program in recognition of Graham’s years of service in the U.S. Senate in a private ceremony. The public can view the ceremony via livestream.

From there, his remains will travel to Washington National Cathedral for a funeral service, set to start at 2 p.m. President Donald J. Trump is set to deliver a tribute. This is an invitation-only service but will be livestreamed.

President Donald Trump is expected to deliver remarks at the cathedral, alongside Fox News’ Sean Hannity and other conservative leaders. Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy are planning to be in attendance, a nod to Graham’s role as a foremost believer in the power of the U.S. and its military to intervene in the world’s problems.

From there, the late senator will begin his final journey to his home state of South Carolina. He’s scheduled to arrive late Tuesday.

It’s the start of two days of services, with burial Wednesday in South Carolina. Graham died suddenly on July 11 at his home in Washington of a likely aortic tear, according to preliminary findings. He had just returned from a whirlwind trip to a NATO summit in Turkey, where he celebrated his birthday, and a visit to Ukraine. He was 71.

A place of honor to ‘say our final goodbyes’

The 10 a.m. service in the Capitol Rotunda provides a place of tribute where former presidents and military leaders and other prominent Americans have been memorialized. Vice President JD Vance is expected to speak.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said earlier it was only fitting to give Graham a special Capitol honor “as we say our final goodbyes.”

“For so many of us in the Senate and the House, myself included, Lindsey was more than a colleague, he was a friend,” Thune said.

Check back for updates.

Sister station WYFF’s Stephanie Moore contributed.