Annual Harrison Ceremony Takes Place

Photos and Story By Andy Chandler

NORTH BEND, Ohio – Despite inclement weather and about an inch of snow falling over the course of three hours, the annual wreath laying at the tomb of the First Indiana Governor General and future U.S. President William Henry Harrison went forward as scheduled last week.

Hosted annually by the Harrison Symmes Foundation in North Bend, Ohio, this annual tradition includes a ceremony attended by multiple dignitaries and military veterans as well as the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Due to the weather, the ceremony was held in the auditorium of Taylor High School in Cleves; a mile up the road from North Bend and Harrison’s grave. The placing of the wreath in the tomb occurred afterward in a private ceremony. 

This year’s wreath laying was done by Maj. Gen. John Dreska who currently serves as Director, Plans & Readiness in the HQDA G-43/5/7 Directorate at the Pentagon in Washington. Dreska’s awards include: the Legion of Merit with bronze oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star Medal, three Defense Meritorious Service Medals and three Army Meritorious Service Medals. He is a veteran of Afghanistan, Operation Iraqi Freedom and was a member of the Ranger Battalion deployed in Operation Gothic Serpent in Mogadishu, made famous by the movie Blackhawk Down. 

“It is important that we honor members who committed their life to be servants to the public. Perhaps I am speaking to someone who will also, in the future, serve others,” Dreska said to the auditorium full of high school students.

Although his grave is in Ohio, Harrison has deep ties to Indiana and its entrance into statehood. In the House Chamber at the Indiana State Capitol in Indianapolis, on the mural that is above the Speaker of the House’s podium is a painting of the General, holding the cape of the lady representing the State of Indiana, almost as is to help usher her forward.