By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
Irrespective of which side of the political aisle you claim as your perch, when there is an unexpected death amongst our leadership, it reminds us that nothing is certain and life is fragile. We need to grieve, we need to remember, and we need to walk in the truth that every service member declares, that we are willing to “defend the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic,” regardless of whether or not we have been a part of the US military. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham died suddenly from a cardiac event, and the flags are appropriately at half-mast.
Lindsey Graham was a full-bird colonel in the United States Air Force, and was a JAG officer. He went to Afghanistan and Iraq, and in April of 2007, briefly served at Bucca, which is south of Baghdad. This was right around the time I was getting ready to come home for good, and there were several things he did (and didn’t do) for which I am thankful and I believe need to be honored.
First of all, he stayed “with the guys.” He was determined to not stick out or be flaunting his senatorial position. This is in stark contrast to a certain colonel who arrived at Camp Victory, checked in to Billeting to be directed to his private officer’s accommodations, and literally asked my roommate Kay how often maid service would clean his quarters!
Secondly, Colonel Graham refused to be addressed as “Senator.” He simply wanted to be “Colonel Graham.” He had a job to do, he was there to do it, and refused any special treatment at all. Bucca was a tough place. It was a prison, the issues there were complicated, the Multinational Forces were working day and night to help the Iraqis pull the place together. Colonel Graham knew he did not have much time to get the job done. On his watch, Bucca improved, and policies were put in place to make sure justice was served.
While Colonel Graham was in theater, he also visited the 386th Expeditionary Medical Group and the Contingency Air Medical Staging Facility. This is where servicemembers wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan were taken and treated while still in country. More severely wounded warriors were flown to the U.S. military hospital known as Landstuhl and located in Germany. Colonel Graham commended the entire medical staff for the fact that the survival rate in the Area of Responsibility (AOR) was outstanding because of their work.
But of all the accomplishments in the colonel’s life, there is one story that I believe transcends politics and shows the heart of a big brother. Senator Graham has a sister who is nine years his junior and her name is Darline. Their parents were both killed in an accident when she was 13. Lindsey legally adopted her, and that act made sure that she would be taken care of if for any reason he died while serving our country. They had been close all their lives, and Darline, who was not one to seek the limelight, has fittingly been appointed to finish out her brother’s term as the senator from South Carolina. May God grant her wisdom and strength in this time, and may God rest the soul of Colonel Lindsey Graham, USAF, Ret., Judge Advocate General.
By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
