(Washington, DC) June 28, 2003 - Senator John Coarsen says both Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld will attend Strom Thurmond's funeral next week. A number of people in Washington, DC will visit South Carolina to pay tribute to him.

Sandy Coats, from Raleigh, NC remembers Thurmond, "One has to be in this whole city, I think it's a lump in one's throat. The thing he represents. The monuments. The sacrifices and the people in our heritage who have gone before us."

Coats recognizes that despite some of the controversy surrounding Thurmond, he has left his mark on history, "In terms of his policies, you can say he was somewhat controversial, but he leaves a great legacy for all Americans."

Russ Bauer found out about Thurmond's death when he noticed the flag, "I saw the flags at half mast. I asked why. I heard he passed away. I was shocked. He was an institution in the government."

Even though Bauer is from New Jersey, he gave Strom a tour of a naval base 12 years ago.

For others visiting Washington, DC, the news hits even closer to home.

Curtis Hutchinson, a USC student knows the significance of Thurmond, "People think of South Carolina when they think of Strom."

After seeing Friday's State newspaper, Hutchinson's thoughts were confirmed, "That's what I expected, right there a big front page."

Hutchinson is visiting Washington, DC from Lexington with his family.

Hutchinson says it was a shock to him that Thurmond had died, "Basically waking up in your hotel room and it was sprawled out all over the news. It was a shock. Strom thurmond died. He's been around a long time."

Christie Hutchinson, of Lexington, wondered how people in South Carolina were reacting to the news, "It's kind of weird. You don't know what everybody's reaction was in South Carolina."

Tiffany Poole, of Lexington, noticed how the flag in Washington, DC was lowered and what is said about Thurmond, "I was amazed they lowered the flag here. I think it represents how important he was to Washington and the US."

While Russ Bower appreciates a monument to servicemen, he thinks of all of those who served including a senator from South Carolina.

Russ Bauer thinks a monument to the senator may soon be coming, "I'm sure it won't be too long before we see a monument to him around here."

Now, most of the senators in Washington, DC have left for the weekend; there's no session next week. But a number of the senators are expected to attend Strom's funeral.

By Megan Hughes

Posted 7:00pm by Eva Pilgrim