President McKinley wreath laying ceremony

The life and legacy of President William McKinley was remembered during an annual wreath laying ceremony at his Presidential Library and Museum in Canton, Ohio, Jan. 30, 2016.

This year's annual ceremony for our nation's 25th president hosted nearly 200 visitors to include members of the local community, elected officials, history enthusiasts, and Civil War re-enactors.

Army Reserve Brig. Gen. R.A. Bassford, deputy commanding general of the 88th RSC, officiated the ceremony on behalf of President Barack Obama and laid a wreath in his stead. Assisting Brig. Gen. Bassford was Capt. Everett Caldwell, chaplain, of the 256th Combat Support Hospital, who also performed the invocation for the event.

As part of the ceremony, six wreaths were presented by various elected officials and organizations. Brig. Gen. Bassford placed the final wreath. While rendering honors, local Civil War re-enactors performed a 21-gun salute and fired a cannon, followed by the playing of taps performed by Sgt. Luke Washburn of the 338th Army Band.