On Saturday, September 20, Congressional Cemetery honored Alexander Macomb (with a long ‘O,’ as we all learned) Macomb was commanding General of the US Army for 13 years back in the early part of the 19th Century. After his death in 1841, he was buried in the Presbyterian Burial Ground in Georgetown, but after the opening of Oak Hill Cemetery, that cemetery went into decline, so his family decided to move him to Congressional Cemetery in 1850. At that time, Congressional was the national cemetery. In 2008, Macomb’s tomb was in disrepair, so Macomb and his relatives buried there were disinterred and taken to the Smithsonian. After the repairs were completed, the remains were reinterred – but recently, the Smithsonian realized that they still had some pieces, which were reinterred recently. There followed the reinterment ceremony with members of the military, Macomb’s family and locals present. Here, the US Army Band ‘Pershing’s Own’ Brass Quintet performs the national anthem with the Army ‘The Old Guard’ Ceremonial Color Guard and members of the Fort McHenry Guard at attention behind them (RSP)
The ceremony was introduced by AJ Orlikoff, the cemetery’s Director of Programming (RSP)
There were a number of speakers, including Brigadier General Leland Blanchard of the DC National Guard. (RSP)
After the speeches, a wreath was placed at Macomb’s grave by members of his family (RSP)
The Color Guard reappeared for the wreath-laying and the playing of taps. (RSP)
After the wreath-laying, all were given the opportunity to place flowers at Macomb’s grave (RSP)
