On Monday April 27, 2015, a special observance was held at the General Grant National Memorial Monument in New York City to honor Ulysses S. Grant – General and 18th President during the 193rd observance of his birthday.
Grant was born on April 27, 1822, and as Commanding General, he worked closely with President Abraham Lincoln to lead the Union Army to victory over the Confederacy in the American Civil War.
The New York City event featured a presentation of the colors, a wreath laying and 21-gun salute. Speakers included Col. William Graham, Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, North Atlantic Division, who represented the President of the United States; Frank Scaturro, President of the Grant Monument Association; Ulysses Grant Dietz, Great-great Grandson of Ulysses S. Grant; and Eric Foner, DeWitt Clinton Professor of History at Columbia University.
Steve Laise, Chief of Cultural Resources, Manhattan Sites, National Park Service served as the master of ceremonies and Foner served as the keynote speaker. Welcoming remarks were made by Liam Strain, of the National Park Service Manhattan Sites, followed by a Presentation of the Colors by the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, Corps of Cadets Honor Guard.
"Today's Army is ready and resilient,” said Col. Graham. “Over 239 years ago our Nation's leaders established the Continental Army and for over 239 years our Army has been agile, innovative, and adaptable and we remain committed to defend the United States.”
"We have a new generation which has taken up freedom's torch -- A generation of men and women in your Army who continue Grant's legacy and have voluntarily chosen to take up arms to protect our American way of life.”
Col. Graham, Grant Dietz, and Liam Strain performed the wreath laying ceremony, followed by a rifle salute, and taps by the Corps of Cadets and West Point Honor Guard.
At the event's conclusion Reverend Wright performed the benediction, with the retirement of the Colors by the Corps of Cadets, and closing remarks by Strain.