NEWS FEATURE: At West Point Graham Grandson Marches To Different Drum

c. 2003 Religion News Service (UNDATED) Three decades ago, West Point awarded the Rev. Billy Graham its highest civilian honor _ the Sylvanus Thayer Award. Today, the evangelist’s grandson Edward Graham looks forward to his West Point graduation and a military commission for active duty at a time when war seems imminent. In an interview […]

c. 2003 Religion News Service

(UNDATED) Three decades ago, West Point awarded the Rev. Billy Graham its highest civilian honor _ the Sylvanus Thayer Award. Today, the evangelist’s grandson Edward Graham looks forward to his West Point graduation and a military commission for active duty at a time when war seems imminent.

In an interview with Religion News Service, the third son of evangelist Franklin Graham and grandson of the legendary the Rev. Billy Graham said he wears his family stripes as proudly as he wears the West Point grays.


His conversation, disarmingly earnest, reflects easy confidence tempered with a pronounced humility, strong convictions and a deep faith in God.

The cadet said walking in and around the Graham footsteps is a compelling challenge that keeps him accountable as he marches to a slightly different drum. In May, he will be the first of his family to graduate from West Point and pursue a military career.

“The Lord has called me to the military _ the greatest mission field. Right now I know I am, without a shadow of a doubt, where the Lord wants me,” the 23-year-old cadet said.

“I feel the Lord has given me an unbelievable opportunity to lead troops and to profess his name throughout the world and that is an opportunity I do not want to waste.”

With his next five years committed to military service, the cadet eyes the international unrest intently and with concern and resolve.

Graham said he believes “we will be going to war,” and President Bush is leading the country in the right direction. He said his faith and the prayer support of family and friends bolster him in the face of it.

Upon graduation, Graham will receive a commission as a second lieutenant and after a 60-day leave report to Fort Sill, Okla., for training. He said he had requested to serve in the infantry but will be assigned to serve as a field artillery officer, instead. He hopes ultimately to join the army’s Special Forces.


Graham said he doesn’t see wartime military duty posing a conflict with his religious beliefs. “The Lord blessed soldiers in combat in the Bible. Look at David and Joshua,” he said. “If I am called tomorrow, I would go gladly.”

Often teased by his father about going into politics because of his degree major _ international relations _ he said he isn’t sure he would ever run for office because of the hardship on families but is interested in politics in an advisory capacity.

The cadet said his role models include Dwight Eisenhower, whom he describes as a good friend of his grandfather’s and a man of faith.

“I admire President Bush and that he is so open about his faith. My father and he were sued, you know, because he let my father pray at the inaugural, `in Jesus’ name.’ I consider it a blessing that my commander-in-chief will put everything at the cross, and, before he puts my life in question, he is asking God for guidance,” he said. “The fact that he is criticized pains me, but at the same time, it gives me strength and hope.”

The cadet reflected on his childhood.

“Growing up, I knew my grandfather was famous, but I didn’t know why. While other Christian leaders have fallen by the wayside, my grandfather is so respected. It’s hard to live up to, but something worth living up to. The Lord blessed me with such a wonderful grandfather, and same with my dad. I’m very proud of my father,” Graham said. “As a kid, I was often called names because of who my family is, but I have never been ashamed.”

He described his father as “firm in his beliefs.” He said he is often asked to comment on his father’s words and actions, like when Franklin Graham’s quoted statements regarding Islam drew public outcry last year.


“My father is a preacher, not a politician and he’s not really expected to be politically correct,” he said. “I expect anyone of religious faith to preach what they believe.”

As a soldier, the cadet said, he would be serving alongside Muslim soldiers.

“It is not my place to criticize them,” he said. “I have never had a hard time with them, never met a cadet that hates Islam or Muslims or the Islamic faith. A lot of hatred and intolerance stems from the Middle East toward Americans,” Graham said. “If we start speaking from hatred about the Middle East, we are just as guilty. My father loves a person of Islamic faith as much as he loves a Christian, and will work for both of them. My father doesn’t choose sides when working with people, but in faith he does,” he said.

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When life gets difficult, Graham said he turns to the biblical book of James for encouragement, especially James 1:5-6, which speaks of seeking wisdom from God. “My mother often gave me this verse my plebe (freshman) year when I thought I was going to fail out. I often had to ask God for help when I had reached my own limitations, and every time the Lord delivered me.”

Graham decided to apply to West Point after he accompanied his father to a Bible presentation at the academy.

“The Lord put a thing in my heart to challenge myself. I prayed about it. My math scores were low, I was late in applying and I needed a congressional nomination,” Graham said. “The Lord kept opening doors. I promised him I’d come if he’d get me accepted.”

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Born Sept. 11, 1979, Graham said he would always hold the remembrance of that day in 2001 as a reminder of why he has chosen a military career. “I pray to God that I never have to go to war, but 9/11 made me, like I think most Americans, willing to do so.”


For Graham, the world and West Point changed dramatically with 9/11.

“I entered West Point upon terms of a peacekeeping mission. Cadets entering now know they most likely will be called to combat,” he said. “Now we look at the small hot points around the world where we might be called on to fight the war on terrorism, and discuss moral and ethical dilemmas like: should you shoot a terrorist site this close to a hospital?”

“For the first time in years,” he said, “there is an enemy out there, though we don’t really know who the enemy is.”

DEA END DAVIS

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