An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Nov. 4, 2021

Tennessee National Guard honors former President Polk

By Tennessee Department of Military

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee National Guard celebrated the life of former President James K. Polk in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tennessee State Capitol Nov. 2 in honor of Polk's 226th birthday. 

Each year, a representative of the current president of the United States is responsible for placing a wreath on the tomb of past presidents to honor them and their service on their birthday. Maj. Gen. Jimmie Cole, Tennessee's deputy adjutant general, represented President Joe Biden at the ceremony.

"It is a privilege to be the president's representative today," said Cole. "As a lifelong Tennessean, I'm honored to commemorate President Polk and remember all that he has done for our state and country."

During the ceremony, Cole and Rachael Helvering, executive director of the James K. Polk Association, laid a wreath on Polk's tomb. Staff Sgt. James Tate, a trumpet player with the Tennessee National Guard's 129th Army Band, played taps following the wreath-laying.

James K. Polk was the 11th president from 1845 to 1849. During his presidency, Polk directed the country's efforts in the Mexican-American War. When the war began, Polk issued a call for volunteers to fight. He asked for 2,600 Soldiers from Tennessee, and 30,000 answered the call, establishing Tennessee's reputation as the "The Volunteer State" forever.
 

 

 

Related Articles
Senior Enlisted Advisor John Raines, SEA to the chief, National Guard Bureau, takes part in the Army Fitness Test at the Volunteer Training Site in Smyrna, Tennessee, July 29, 2025. Raines completed the test alongside participants of the Tennessee National Guard's Guard Readiness Improvement Training course. GRIT is designed to retain and strengthen the force through physical, mental, nutritional, spiritual, and sleep readiness training.
SEA Raines: Tennessee Guard’s ‘GRIT’ Program Strengthens Readiness, Lethality
By Staff Sgt. Amber Peck, | Aug. 14, 2025
SMYRNA, Tenn. – The National Guard’s most senior enlisted member visited the Tennessee National Guard last week to learn more about an innovative program helping Guard members in the Volunteer State improve their fitness...

Members of the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard competed in the Bulgaria Armed Forces’ first multinational Best Warrior Competition, at the National Military University, June 23-26.
Tennessee Guard Participates in Bulgaria’s Best Warrior Competition
By Capt. Kealy Moriarty, | June 30, 2025
VELIKO TARNOVO, Bulgaria – Members of the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard competed in the Bulgaria Armed Forces’ first multinational Best Warrior Competition at the National Military University.The June 23-26...

A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from Knoxville’s 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion delivers water with a Helicopter Bucket to fight a wildfire near Turtletown, in Polk County, April 15. Helicopter Buckets are used to provide hundreds of gallons of water from local area water sources to combat wildfires.
Tennessee Guardsmen Respond to Polk County Wildfire
By | April 15, 2025
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Army National Guard provided two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from Knoxville’s 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion today to support a wildfire response in Polk County, at the request of the...