ByMIKE HUCKABEE

JULY 14, 2026 14:54

Updated: JULY 14, 2026 16:52

Certain individuals prove difficult to appreciate. Spotting them approach often prompts a desire to steer clear. Senator Lindsey Graham never fit that description.

The reverse held true for Graham. Time spent with him felt like time with a genuine companion, which is precisely what he represented to me across more than two decades.

My last exchange with Graham took place mere days before Sunday morning brought the notification of his passing. Processing that information required effort. He radiated such vitality that the terms death and Graham seemed incompatible.

For those unfamiliar, Graham experienced Southern hardship similar to my own background, yet he confronted additional severe obstacles beyond financial strain. His family ran a bar and pool hall, where he handled cleanup duties after hours.

Both parents passed within a 15-month span. At age 21, Graham assumed responsibility for his younger sister, choosing to support her rather than allow her placement in foster care. He joined the United States Air Force to secure steady income and later adopted her legally.

Complaints about life's unfairness were absent from his approach. Instead, he applied himself diligently. He supported his sister through her upbringing and celebrated her later achievements.

Graham finished college and law school, rose to officer rank in the Air Force, served 33 years in the reserves, and retired as a colonel. Election to the House of Representatives followed, then service in the Senate.

His path led from bar cleanup to recognition as one of Capitol Hill's most effective and admired senators. He embodied the American Dream rather than merely describing it.

Israel held a special place in his regard. He valued the nation because of his devotion to America and recognition that the US-Israel alliance strengthened both countries along with broader freedoms. He frequently noted that Israel's adversaries aligned with those of America, a view he held firmly.

Critics labeled him a warmonger, yet that claim lacked substance. War held no appeal for him, but he recognized threats to peace from regimes rooted in hostility, such as Iran. He maintained that resolve fosters peace more effectively than retreat, another accurate assessment.

During visits to Israel with American groups exploring the Holy Land, I would encounter Graham at the David Citadel Hotel or other Jerusalem locations. He often appeared alongside close colleagues, former senators John McCain and Joe Lieberman, referred to by McCain's daughter Meghan as the three amigos.

Heart for the world

Graham possessed an infectious, engaging, and disarming sense of humor. One quality I admired most was his serious attention to global matters while avoiding excessive self-importance.

Unlike numerous political figures I have encountered, he avoided rushing toward every microphone or positioning himself before cameras. Though effective on television, his primary efforts occurred away from public view, building consensus among Republicans and engaging Democrats.

He acted on his convictions even when they provoked opposition within his Republican ranks. Despite unfair RINO accusations and attempts to unseat him, South Carolina voters repeatedly returned him to office.

His concern extended globally, yet he always made time for children seeking photos or veterans seeking assistance. His patience reached those sharing his modest origins.

He remained mindful of his beginnings and identity. No shame attached to his past, only gratitude for his progress and future direction.

America has lost a genuine statesman. Israel has lost one of its firmest advocates. South Carolina has lost an effective and caring senator. I have lost a valued personal friend.

Rather than dwell in sorrow, I choose to celebrate the life of someone who left a lasting impression. As Psalms notes, weeping endures for a night, but joy arrives with the morning. Rest well, my friend. I will see you then.

The writer is the US ambassador to Israel.