Wreath laying ceremony marks the 100th anniversary of President Harding's passing

"People sometimes think that the president of the United States ought not to travel, but they think many things about the president which are wrong. ... I wish to convey to you the profound conviction which has come to me that I am better equipped to serve and more resolved faithfully to serve the Nation than when I left Washington last June."

Those were the words of President Warren G. Harding upon arriving in Seattle, Washington, on July 27, 1923, following his visit to Alaska during his famous Voyage of Understanding in the summer of 1923. Sadly, the president died just six days later on Aug. 2 in San Francisco.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Harding's death and once again local residents gathered at the Harding Memorial in Marion to honor the memory of the 29th president of the United States and his wife, Florence Harding, during a wreath-laying ceremony that was conducted Saturday morning.

"One hundred years ago this summer, President and Mrs. Harding traveled by train, ship, and automobile to the western states, Canada, and Alaska," Harding Presidential Sites manager Sherry Hall said during Saturday's ceremony. "The president called the 15,000-mile trip the 'Voyage of Understanding.' It was based on the simple premise that if the government went to the people, listened to their concerns, and explained what the government was trying to do in Washington, both sides could more easily communicate and work together for the good of all. 'Our common country,' as Harding put it."

July 15 still an important day in history of Alaska

"Today, the small town of Nenana, Alaska, population 358, is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the exact day (July 15) that President Harding came to them," Hall added. "He drove the golden spike to finish the Alaska Railway. This day is a big deal to the folks in that town, as it should be. Not only did the president travel to a remote area to get to them, but he listened to them that day. It's no wonder that Nenana is so proud of their connection to this president. He gave them his time."

Dr. Warren G. Harding III, a grandnephew of President Harding, paid tribute to his ancestor in a brief speech he delivered on Saturday, citing several policy measures that he accomplished during his presidency.

"I believe that presidents should be evaluated by the history which they accomplish," Dr. Harding said. "Historian Henry Adams, who was the grandson and great grandson of the Adams presidents, developed an analogy that he used likening the president to a captain of a ship at sea with a helm to grasp, a course to steer, and a port to seek. President Harding's vision for his presidency, or his port to seek, included peace, prosperity, and opportunity for all Americans and for our republic to be an example for the world.

"President and Mrs. Harding loved Marion and Marion's people and I'm sure they would have enjoyed being here for this ceremony this morning. They would be proud and honored to be a part of it."

Brigadier general assists in wreath ceremony

Brigadier Gen. Andrew F. Scarcella, deputy commanding general of the 88th Readiness Division based at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, was tasked with paying tribute to President Harding on behalf of the United States Army. He assisted Dr. Harding in laying the memorial wreath at the foot of the president's tomb.

Gen. Scarcella also assisted Phyllis Butterworth, a member of the Harding Presidential Sites Advisory Committee, in laying a memorial wreath at Mrs. Harding's tomb. Butterworth paid tribute to Mrs. Harding in a speech that outlined the former First Lady's achievements and activities both before and during Harding's presidency.

To commemorate the "Voyage of Understanding," the Harding Presidential Sites is posting information about the trip daily on its Facebook page. The program "Death of a President" will be presented at 7 p.m. on Aug. 2 which, according to officials, will allow people to learn "about the health challenges faced by the President when he was taken ill in San Francisco, and his funeral services that followed."

Presenters will be Harding Presidential Sites Researcher Jon Andersen, Site Manager Sherry Hall and the president’s grand-nephew, Dr. Richard Harding. More information about the program will be available on the Harding Presidential Sites website hardingpresidentialsites.org.

Email: ecarter@gannett.com | Twitter: @AndrewACCarter

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Honoring President Harding on the 100th anniversary of his passing