COLUMBIA, S.C. — The late South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham returned to his home state Wednesday morning, following the first of two funeral services.
Tuesday’s services included dignitaries from around the world, and now, the people that he served for more than 30 years paid their respects at the South Carolina State House.
>>>Watch the service here.
Unlike Tuesday’s service in Washington, D.C., the memorial on Wednesday is more like a homecoming for the man whose public service started in the Palmetto State.
Sen. Graham’s flag-draped casket, which was carried to the Capitol Rotunda in Washington D.C., arrived in Columbia Wednesday morning.
Hundreds are remembering the senator who served four terms and was making a bid for his fifth when he died unexpectedly earlier this month at the age of 71.
The final procession happened in the morning from the heart of the state’s capital to funeral services at First Baptist Church.
Family, friends, colleagues, and South Carolinians are paying their respects to one of the state’s most influential political figures.
The South Carolina State Guard escorted Graham’s remains to the historic church. There was also a military flyover to honor Sen. Graham’s service in the Air Force.
The funeral service got underway at noon at the church in Columbia.
Thousands of people are inside, from community members to state leaders.
First Baptist is one of Columbia’s oldest and most recognizable churches.
Graham wasn’t a member but reportedly attended often when he was in town.
The service is close to the State House, where he worked with the governor and other state leaders to promote the state in the U.S. Senate.
For people in Graham’s small hometown of Central, South Carolina, his sudden passing is something they’re still processing.
“Shock has been the primary thing,” resident Luke Moscato said. “He’s been a staple of the area. Everyone knows who he is, regardless of whether you agree with him politically or not.”
Tune in to Channel 9 for an update from South Carolina reporter Tina Terry at noon.