Trump, Pence travel to Charlotte for Rev. Billy Graham's funeral

— -- President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence were among the mourners gathered in Charlotte to pay their respects to famed evangelist Rev. Billy Graham.

Trump, Pence and their wives Melania Trump and Karen Pence met the Graham family privately before the service. Billy Graham’s grandson, Maj. Edward Bell Graham, escorted them to their seats in the front row on the left side of the stage. Other administration officials sat behind them, including Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue.

After the service Pence tweeted that it was emotional and inspiring.

Several of Graham's family members spoke to the crowd attending the outdoor service at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina. As many as 2,000 people were expected to attend.

Graham's daughter Virginia “Gigi” Graham said she is grateful God has brought Rev. Graham back with their mother, Ruth, "for all eternity."

Ruth Graham died in 2007.

His daughter, Anne Graham Lotz told the crowd, "My father's death is as significant as his life. And his life was very significant."

"I believe this is a shot across the bow from heaven and I believe God is saying, 'wake up church, wake up world, wake up, Anne. Jesus is coming," Graham Lotz said.

Another of Graham's daughters, Ruth Graham, said "everyone has a Billy Graham” story including President Trump. She said that when Trump was a child, his father took him to Yankee stadium to hear Graham preach and that Trump said, “this is a big deal,” which drew laughter from the crowd.

"Little did they know that their paths would cross many, many years later,” she said.

Nelson “Ned” Graham described his father as faithful, saying "he was available and he was teachable and I want each one of you to remember that."

Graham's other son, Rev. Franklin Graham, delivered the main funeral message from the same pulpit that his father used.

He said his father, “followed Jesus all the way to heaven. Most of his life was spent traveling the world but the last week he embarked on the journey he had been looking forward to all of his life, the journey from Earth to heaven."

"Daddy, I won't see you on this earth again, but I will see you again," the junior Rev. Graham said after his 13 minute remarks.

Trump did not speak during the ceremony Friday but he did give remarks Wednesday when congressional leaders paid their respects to Graham's casket as he laid in honor in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol building.

The president said that Rev. Graham traveled around the world and “delivered the same beautiful message: God loves you. That was his message, God loves you.” Trump also said Graham was an “an ambassador for Christ who reminded the world of the power of prayer and the gift of God's grace.”

Graham died on February 21st. He was 99 years old.