The Eightieth Annual Jefferson Memorial Ceremony, in recognition of the 280th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Jefferson, was held at the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC on April13, 2023 commencing at 11 o’clock in the morning. Richard E. Patten, past president, District of Columbia Sons of the American Revolution (“DCSAR”) served as the Master of Ceremonies. The event was presented by DCSAR in cooperation with The National Park Services within the United States Department of the Interior and The Military District of Washington. The Prelude, National Anthem, and Postlude were rendered by The U.S. Air Force Band Brass Quintet. The invocation and benediction were delivered by The Rev. Dr. John DeWitt Stonesifer, Chaplain, DCSAR. Guests were welcomed by Jeffrey Reinbold, Superintendent, National Mall and Memorial Parks. The presentation of wreaths followed.
The first wreath was presented at 9:00am on behalf of the President of the United States, The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr., by Major General Allan Pepin, Commanding General, Military District of Washington.
The wreath from the Secretary of the Interior, the Honorable Deb Haaland was presented by Jeffrey Reinbold followed by the wreath from James E. Ryan, President of the University of Virginia presented by Mark and Lucy Duke Tonacci. Georgina Coolidge presented the wreath on behalf of P. Gardiner Hallock, Interim President of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation.
The DCSAR wreath was presented by William O. Ritchie Jr., President of DCSAR and the NSSAR wreath, C. Bruce Pickette, President General, was presented by Peter M. Davenport, Vice President General.
Wreaths were presented by several descendants of Thomas Jefferson. The wreath from Thom Randolph, President of the Monticello Association, was presented by Angus Slater Lamond Jr., 7th generation descendant of Thomas Jefferson. The Society of the Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence wreath, Nancy McBride Wark, President General, was presented by John Hamilton Works, Jr., Second Vice President and 5th great grandson of Thomas Jefferson. The Thomas Jefferson Heritage Society wreath, John Hamilton Works, Jr., President, was presented by Rebecca Hart, 1st cousin 7-times-removed from Thomas Jefferson, and Michael Hart
Additional wreaths were presented by representatives of the General Society of the War of 1812, MDSAR, VASAR, DCDAR, DC Children of the American Revolution, National Society United States Daughters of 1812, NS Children of the American Colonists, Society of the Descendants of the Signers of the Constitution, The National Society Descendants of American Farmers, The National Society Descendants of American Farmers Youth, The Order of First Families of Virginia and the Thomas Jefferson Heritage Society.
The program concluded with the Sounding of “Taps”