Andrew Johnson wreath laying ceremony

     Saturday was former president Andrew Johnson's birthday.
     Every year a wreath is placed on his grave to honor his services.

December 29, 2012 marks the 204th birthday of the United State's seventeenth President Andrew Johnson.
"Here in Tennessee, we have three former Presidents. Andrew Jackson buried at the Hermitage, we have James K. Polk who is buried on the capitol grounds in Nashville, and then we have Andrew Johnson who is buried here in Greeneville at the National Cemetery," says Major General Max Hatson.

To honor Johnson's birthday a wreath is laid on his grave every year.
"The White House has a wreath sent to the community where the President is buried and they ask us to do a wreath laying ceremony."

Despite the bad weather people still showed up to honor the 17th President of the United States.
"20 or 30 people will show up and we provide a firing detail to honor him and we play taps and usually have a few remarks."

Major General Max Hatson tells News 5, Johnson was a  great President to the United States, and it's important we remember what he did.
"He did a lot for this country. A little guy from God's country in East Tennessee."


The 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment of the Tennessee National Guard hosted the program.