Washington • The president gently touched the bare wood of Billy Graham’s casket. The House speaker bowed his head. And hundreds of other lawmakers, family and friends stood in a rare salute Wednesday to the man they called “America’s pastor.”
“He ministered to all walks, from some of the greats whose statues line this hall — Eisenhower, King, Ford and Reagan — to the everyday citizens lining up today to pay their respects,” said House Speaker Paul Ryan, gesturing to Graham’s casket under the eye of the Capitol Rotunda.
President Donald Trump, who met Graham but is closer to his son Franklin nonetheless recalled that the elder Graham had long been part of his life.