On April 22, the annual wreath laying ceremony to honor James Buchanan was held at the former president's tomb in Woodward Hill Cemetery in Lancaster. The tradition of laying a fresh wreath of flowers at United States presidents' tombs each year has been observed for decades and is completed for every individual who has held the office.

The ceremony included remarks from guests such as Assistant Adjutant General of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard James McCormick, chairman of the Lancaster County Commissioners Ray D'Agostino, Lancaster City Chief of Police Richard Mendez, Nathan Gilchrist III of Masonic Lodge 43, Jean Weglarz of Woodward Hill Cemetery and director of President James Buchanan's Wheatland Patrick Clarke. The event was hosted by LancasterHistory in partnership with Woodward Hill Cemetery, and an invocation and benediction was delivered by Timothy Mentzer of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.

Many groups provided support for the ceremony, including the Pilot Club of Lancaster, Scouts BSA Troop 58, the Lancaster Fencibles, the Red Rose Veterans Honor Guard and the 328th Brigade Support Battalion of the Pennsylvania National Guard.

"It's a small and solemn service to bring a wreath to the gravesite and remember that president's service," Clarke said. "Not every community has a former president who they can claim as one of their community members. Whether you feel that Buchanan was a good president or a horrible one, he was a Pennsylvanian."

The date of the ceremony was selected to fall near Buchanan's date of birth, which is April 23. LancasterHistory first became involved with the event to assist with the ceremony and tie it into its educational programming, as the organization primarily offers exhibits and tours at Buchanan's former home in Lancaster.

Many of the groups participate in the ceremony each year because of their direct relation to the former president. Buchanan is considered to be one of the earliest members of Pennsylvania's National Guard due to his serving as a militia member in the War of 1812. Due to this connection, for the annual service the Pennsylvania National Guard provides soldiers to perform color guard duties, raise a new American flag and speak on Buchanan's history and involvement in the military. The Red Rose Honor Guard donates a new flag for the raising every year and offers the service of one of its members to play taps for the ceremony. During Buchanan's time as president and as a member of Congress, he consistently voted to provide support for the country's military.

Buchanan was also a member of the Masonic Lodge and became master of the Masonic Lodges in Lancaster, Lebanon and York while serving in the House of Representatives. One of Lancaster city's seminal members of the police department was a close friend of Buchanan's. Both the current chief of police and members of the Masonic Lodge said a few words for the ceremony. The Lancaster Fencibles, a group of military re-enactors, performed a rifle salute during the service. The original Fencibles were volunteer militia members whose duties included guarding Buchanan when he was elected president and traveled to Washington, D.C.

"It's a valuable thing to recognize the history of Lancaster," Clarke said. "These are opportunities to learn about the past, hear how that time period affected our days today and learn from it."