HERMITAGE, Tenn. – Brig. Gen. Steven Turner, Tennessee’s assistant adjutant general-Army, placed a wreath at former President Andrew Jackson’s tomb March 15 on what would have been his 258th birthday.
Turner spoke about the seventh president’s life and many contributions and placed the wreath on behalf of the president of the United States.
“General Jackson represents Tennessee and what it means to be a true Tennessean,” said Turner. “It is an honor, and I am humbled, to be able to help honor him today.”
During the ceremony, Turner was joined by Pam Koban, the regent of the Andrew Jackson Foundation, to place the wreath at Jackson’s grave site in the garden behind his home.
“It is a privilege to represent the U.S. president as we honor Jackson on his birthday,” said Turner.
In addition to Turner’s role as a speaker, Lt. Col. Paul Gunn, a chaplain with the Tennessee Air National Guard, gave the ceremony’s invocation. Soldiers from the Tennessee National Guard provided a color guard. Sgt. Jeremy Bryant, with the 129th Army Band, played taps. After the event, visitors explored The Hermitage, a national historic landmark that hosts more than 75,000 guests every year outside Nashville.