Missouri Society Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard Photo Gallery
Vigil at George & Martha Washington’s Tomb Mount Vernon, VA Saturday, September 8, 2012
Pictured here is NSSAR President General Stephen A. Leishman and his wife Janet Leishman, and the National SAR Color Guard, who participated in a special wreath laying ceremony on Saturday, September 8, 2012. The National SAR Color Guard stood vigil at George Washington’s Tomb after this ceremony. The MOSSAR Color Guard team, who also participated with the National Color Guard, stood vigil at George Washington’s Tomb on the grounds of Mount Vernon in Virginia on Saturday, September 8, 2012.
George Washington died in the master bedchamber at Mount Vernon on December 14, 1799. In his will, he directed that he be buried on his beloved Mount Vernon estate. He also selected a site for a new brick tomb to replace the original burial vault that was deteriorating. The new tomb was completed in 1831, and Washington's body was moved there along with the remains of Martha Washington and other family members. Special wreath laying ceremonies take place at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily, April through October.
Most people may not know that it was originally planned that President Washington's Tomb to be located in a small chamber in the basement of the United States Capitol building. It was designed to entomb the body of George Washington, the first President of the United States. The tomb is two levels beneath the Capitol rotunda, with the United States Capitol crypt the intermediary level. The original design of the rotunda, and the crypt beneath it, included a central glass floor allowing the public to view Washington's Tomb two floors below. This design was never implemented, however, and Washington was buried at Mount Vernon, his estate in nearby Virginia, in accordance with his will.
Left Photo (L-R): MOSSAR Compatriot Russell F. DeVenney, Jr.; and MOSSAR Compatriot Jesse Lybarger.
Center Photo (L-R): MOSSAR Compatriot Russell F. DeVenney, Jr.; Secretary Genaral Joseph W. Dooley; NSSAR President General Stephen A. Leishman, Mrs. Janet Leishman, and MOSSAR Compatriot Jesse Lybarger (2nd Row and to the right).
Right Photo (L-R): MOSSAR Compatriot Russell F. DeVenney, Jr.; and MOSSAR Compatriot Jesse Lybarger.
