New York National Guard marks the birthday of President Chester Arthur with wreath laying ceremony

"Profoundly Local" president is buried in Albany Rural Cemetery

Menands, N.Y. (10/09/2019) — New York Army National Guard leaders marked the 190th birthday of President Chester Arthur, the 21st president of the United States during a graveside ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 5 at historic Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands, N.Y.

Brig. Gen. John Andonie, the Director of Joint Staff for the New York National Guard, and New York State Command Sgt. Major David Piwowarski, laid a wreath from President Donald Trump at Arthur's grave.

Former presidents are honored each year on their birthday with the presentation of a wreath from the current occupant of the White House at their grave. Local military leaders present those wreaths on behalf of the president.

The New York National Guard recognizes Arthur, who died at age 57 in 1886; as well as Martin Van Buren, whose grave is in Kinderhook, N.Y.; and Millard Fillmore, who is buried in Buffalo.

It's an honor to be asked to represent the White House in commemorating a past president, Andonie said.

"It is about recognizing the leaders of our nation that served our country. It is about recognizing their service and recognizing their lives," he said.

During the short ceremony, Andonie and Piwowarski presented the wreath and then saluted Arthur's grave as taps was played. Bagpipers then played "Amazing Grace."

Chester Arthur is not one of the well-known American presidents, but his story is "a universal one of redemption", said Albany, N.Y.-area historian David Pietrusza, who delivered remarks during the short ceremony.

Arthur, who was a veteran of Republican politics, had never been elected to any office until he was elected vice president in 1880 when he ran with President James Garfield.

Arthur, who was the leader of the "stalwart" wing of the Republican Party, had been selected to run as vice president to placate that side of the Republican Party.When Garfield was shot on July 2, 1881, the gunman was heard to say "Now Arthur is President," which immediately generated rumors that Arthur had been part of a plot, Pietrusza said.

When Arthur took office after Garfield's death on Sept. 19, 1881 he was widely distrusted and event reviled as a party hack who might have had something to do with the legitimate president's death, Pietrusza explained.

But when he left office three years later he was almost universally hailed as a president who had done a good job and restored faith in the office.

He instituted the federal Civil Service, oversaw the creation of a modern American Navy, and worked to reconcile the North and South in the aftermath of the Civil War, Pietrusza said.

Arthur was also a member of the New York National Guard.During the Civil War he was appointed Quartermaster General of New York and was responsible for equipping and transporting 70 New York Volunteer Regiments, totaling about 70,000 Soldiers, during his two years on the job.

Arthur worked as a lawyer and was active in Republican politics and also served as the Judge Advocate General of the New York National Guard, then known as the New York State Militia. In this capacity he drafted a military law which restructured the organization.

Arthur went to College in Schenectady, N.Y., taught school in Vermont, and practiced law in New York City. During an 1855 Court Case he won a lawsuit which ensured that African-Americans could ride on public transportation in New York City.

"He is a profoundly local president," Pietrusza said.

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