Brig. Gen. John F. Haley, Chief of Ordnance and Ordnance School commandant, and Command Sgt. Maj. Edward C. Morris, Ordnance Corps regimental command sergeant major, salute the playing of taps April 28, during a wreath laying ceremony at the tomb of ...
RICHMOND, Va. -- Combined Arms Support Command personnel paid tribute to President James Monroe, the nation's 5th president, in a traditional wreath-laying ceremony at Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, on April 28. Family members of Monroe, along with state and local dignitaries, were in attendance. Brig. Gen. John F. Haley, Chief of Ordnance and Ordnance School commandant, delivered remarks on behalf of President Barrack Obama.
"James Monroe was the last of our 'Revolutionary Fathers' to occupy the White House. Our Nation was only 41 years old the day Monroe took office as President," Haley said. "America was still an experiment in democracy as there were only four other presidents before him from whom to draw lessons learned."
Some of the many accomplishments he achieved during his lifetime included being elected governor of Virginia twice; minister to France, England and Spain; held the roles of secretary of state and secretary of war simultaneously; served in the Virginia House of Delegates and was elected to two terms as President of the United States.
Monroe fought in the American Revolutionary War, where he was injured with a musket ball to his shoulder during the Battle of Trenton. He studied law under Thomas Jefferson, was responsible for the Louisiana Purchase and the treaty for the acquisition of Florida from Spain.
In 1823, he announced the U.S. opposition to any European intervention with the Monroe Doctrine, which became a landmark in American foreign policy.
This year marks Monroe's 257th birthday. To pay homage to the nation's leaders, wreath laying ceremonies are held annually at the gravesite of each of the former presidents on their birthday. He was born April 28, 1758, in Westmoreland County, Va.
"James Monroe left behind an extraordinary legacy; 50 years of dedicated and selfless service as a patriot, statesman, diplomat, and President," Haley added. "As we depart today, I hope that we will all take up the challenge to model his commitment to duty and personal sacrifice in our service to this great Nation."
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