Family and presidential history buffs alike gathered at the Nation Cathedral in D.C. on Saturday to commemorate President Woodrow Wilson’s 167th birthday in an annual wreath-laying ceremony.
The bugle sounded, a drummer rolled and full military honors were given as the wreath was laid at Wilson鈥檚 tomb in the center of the National Cathedral, surrounded by a color guard with every military branch represented.
鈥淗e’s the only president buried in Washington, and he’s buried here at the Cathedral, and so we consider ourselves caretakers of his remains,鈥� said Kevin Eckstrom, a spokesman for the National Cathedral.
It’s the 28th time that the Armed Forces have completed the wreath-laying ceremony.
鈥淭wo organizations that really know how to do a funeral are the military and the Episcopal Church. You put them together for a state funeral or presidential funeral, or even a smaller event like this, and there’s something magical about it,鈥� said Eckstrom.
This year, the ceremony drew dozens of visitors, from presidential history buffs and even relatives of Wilson.
Edith Wilson, who died on Dec. 28 鈥� her husband鈥檚 birthday 鈥� in 1961, was also celebrated. Her grand-nephew placed a separate wreath of orchids at the tomb to honor her.
鈥淲onderful that Edith can be a part of the military salute to the president,鈥� said her grand-nephew, Cary Fuller. 鈥淚 feel this is sort of a joint celebration of the two of them.鈥�
Fuller told 海角社区app he was very fortunate to have gotten to know Edith before her death and described her as a second grandmother to him.
Edith is also interred at the National Cathedral.
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