Photo By Alun Thomas | Col. Jesse Abbott (center), chaplain, 416th Engineer Command, reads a prayer at the...... read more read more
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NORTH BEND, Ohio – The life of President William Henry Harrison was honored during a wreath laying ceremony at his memorial site in North Bend, Ohio, Feb 6.
The event was attended by local dignitaries, elected officials, high school students and the Hamilton Sheriff Honor Guard, who all made a solemn half-mile march from the North Bend Municipal Building to Harrison’s tomb on a bitterly cold morning.
Attending the ceremony was Brig. Gen. R.A. Bassford, deputy commanding general of the 88th Regional Support Command, who along with Col. Jesse Abbott, chaplain, 416th Engineer Command, laid a wreath on behalf of President Barack Obama.
Bassford spoke about the legacy of Harrison, who served as President for only 32 days before dying of pneumonia and how his legacy remains despite his short term in office.
“Sometimes you can’t help but wonder what might have been if March 4, 1841, had been a warm, sunny day, as opposed to being cold and windy, with falling snow,” Bassford said, in reference to Harrison’s inauguration speech which led to his death. “What might have been if he had cut his speech short … he left us with a feeling of unfulfilled potential.”
Bassford said Harrison’s life up to that point had been one of public service, in the military, House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.
“His actions in those positions might offer some insight into what he might have done as president,” Bassford said. “During his inauguration speech he asks his audience 50 years after the founding of the United States whether the framers of the constitution actually created a government that’s enhancing liberty or is going to harm liberty.”
“He went on to predict how today government works … this speech could have been given today,” Bassford added. “While times may change, people don’t.”
Bassford encouraged those in attendance to read Harrison’s speech and said the essence of his thoughts was if your fellow citizens were patriotic then it would help keep the government in control.
“President Harrison said he wasn’t going to run for another term or use his veto powers and that is remarkable,”Bassford said. “How often do you see a politician in their moment of triumph publicly limit their own power?”
Bassford said Harrison was a Soldier, a scholar, a public servant and most importantly a patriot.
“He is a man deserving of our greatest respect and highest regard,” he concluded.
Douglas Sammons, the mayor of North Bend, also paid tribute to Harrison and said no matter how harsh the winter weather, the town of North Bend takes great pleasure in celebrating the contribution of Harrison to American history.
“We use a word like patriot to describe our military, but when I think of the word, I think of someone with a vision greater than of themselves to make this country better,” Sammons said. “I believe we take this time to better understand the sacrifices and courage a patriot like President Harrison displayed in his lifetime.”
Sammons described the actions of people such as Pat Tillman and Rosa Parks as patriotic and said the legacy of Harrison will remain forever vigilant through these enduring Americans.
“As a community this is why we’re here and will continue to honor the ninth president of the United States,” Sammons said.
| Date Taken: | 02.09.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 02.09.2015 15:18 |
| Story ID: | 154037 |
| Location: | NORTH BEND, OHIO, US |
| Web Views: | 176 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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