Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Corey Beal | Army Reserve Brig. Gen. R.A. Bassford, deputy commanding general of the 88th Regional...... read more read more
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FREMONT, Ohio - The life and contributions of Civil War hero and 19th U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes was celebrated during a wreath laying ceremony at his tomb in Fremont, Ohio, Oct. 5, 2014.
The ceremony served as the capstone event for a weekend celebration at the Hayes estate which hosted more than a 1,000 visitors. The celebration included hundreds of Civil War-era costumed re-enactors, period exhibits and re-enactment of the second Battle of Kernstown.
Army Reserve Brig. Gen. R.A. Bassford, deputy commanding general of the 88th Regional Support Command, officiated the ceremony on behalf of President Barack Obama and paid tribute in his stead.
Opening the ceremony was Christie Weininger, executive director of the Hayes Presidential Center, who said Hayes was a man who was very much committed to his country and preserving the Union.
“…when war was becoming eminent, he and his wife Lucy talked a great deal about what he would do,” said Weininger. “This was a man in his late 30’s, a successful lawyer, a husband and father of three young children.”
“Answering that question,” said Weininger. “Hayes wrote that he would much rather enter this coming conflict and die than to live a long full life and had sat out during one of the most important events in our country’s history.”
Bassford continued the tribute by recalling to the audience stories drawn from Hayes’ lifetime of service to the nation. Actions which still serve as an example for the leaders and service-members of today.
In 1864, then a Union Army general serving in the Civil War, Hayes was nominated to run for the House of Representatives and asked to return to Ohio in order to campaign.
Having been in a number of battles and wounded twice, he refused the request, said Bassford.
“In a response to those who nominated him,” said Bassford. “Hayes wrote an officer fit for duty who at this crisis would abandon his post to electioneer for a seat in Congress ought to be scalped.”
“The key word here is duty,” said Bassford. “To do what you see as necessary, regardless of what your personal interest and desires might be – to place the greater good ahead of your own personal advantage.”
“Hayes refused to leave his post, ...but was elected to the House despite his refusal to campaign,” said Bassford. “Throughout his life he did well by doing what was right.”
“Hayes was a man who served his country honorably and well – a man who deserves our respect and admiration,” said Bassford.
*Learn more about President Rutherford B. Hayes by visiting www.rbhayes.org/hayes/president/
| Date Taken: | 10.05.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 10.06.2014 01:29 |
| Story ID: | 144342 |
| Location: | FREMONT, OH, US |
| Web Views: | 181 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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