Dedication of Graham Library thrills local resident

As La Posada resident Eleanor Staggs has recently learned, having friends in high places can indeed pay off.

Her friends with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association invited her to be one of 1,500 guests at the May 30 banquet and May 31 dedication at the recently completed 40,000-square-foot Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, N.C.

Not only was 92-year-old Staggs thrilled in be in the presence of Rev. Graham, she was also in the presence of three former U.S. presidents — George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

All arrangements were made for Staggs and a couple who were assigned to be her hosts drove her to and from her hotel to the several events and also sat with her at the banquet.

She had a seat just a few tables from the podium and Rev. Graham, his son Franklin and the former presidents and said a broad-shouldered man was seated right in front of her. “When he bent down or moved I stood up and snapped photos,” she said.

Not able to get close to the presidents because of heavy security Staggs said, “I’m just grateful I heard their speeches.”

Now 88, Rev. Graham is in poor health, however, Staggs said he spoke at the podium for 25 to 30 minutes. “He had more strength when he was up there… when he got to the podium and lifted his head you could see the podium belonged to God—not to him. His voice never trembled; you could see the Lord working through him.”

She got to walk through the vast Billy Graham Library, first as part of a large group of guests and later on her own. Asked what about the architecture or exhibits impressed her most she said it wasn’t the architecture or replicas of Graham’s farmhouse background that traces his rise from farm boy to America’s pastor. “It was the recorded sermons of his original powerful preaching,” she said.

One of the powerful exhibits is a replica of the Berlin Wall; it commemorates how remarkable it was that Graham was able to get permission from communist governments to evangelize behind the Iron Curtain.

The library’s architecture resembles a huge barn and visitors enter through glass doors that are part of a 40-foot glass cross that’s part of the wood exterior.

Staggs is carefully preserving all the paperwork and mementoes associated with her memorable attendance at the dedication. This includes the invitation, a 95-minute CD of the ceremony, the dedication program and the June 1 edition of “The Charlotte Observer” bearing the headline “Honoring America’s Pastor” and showing a large photograph of Rev. Graham with his son Franklin and the three former presidents.

After six decades on the road preaching to 210 million people the new $27 million library commemorates Graham’s life and was built to carry on his work; his son Franklin is now carrying on his father’s work. Admission to the library is free to the public.

Asked if this event was one of the most memorable events of her life, Staggs said, “Absolutely!”

Ellen Sussman is a Green Valley freelance writer. Contact her at ellen2414@cox.net. Comment on this story online at www.gvnews.com.