KINDERHOOK--New York Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Patrick Murphy (at left), Director of Joint Staff for the New York National Guard, and Chaplain (Col) Eric Olsen, New York State Chaplain, salute after laying a wreath at the gravesite of US President Martin VanBuren on Friday December 4th 2009.
The wreath laying, to mark the 227th anniversary of his birth on Dec. 5, 1782, is conducted each year by the New York National Guard at the request of the White House. Wreaths are laid on each president's grave on the anniversary of their birth.
Van Buren, who was born, lived and died in Kinderhook, was nicknamed "Old Kinderhook" by political supporters. Reportedly he signed approved paperwork with an "OK" which evolved into OK as a phrase indicating that things are good.
DMNA Press Releases
NY National Guard In the News
North Country Now -- Tue, 25 Mar 2025 SUNY Potsdam and New York Army National Guard hold ribbon cutting for Campus Recruiting Office POTSDAM -- SUNY Potsdam officials welcomed New York Army National Guard Major General Michel Natali for a ribbon cutting and formal signing ceremony celebrating its new campus recruiting office,... (more)
Spectrum News -- Tue, 25 Mar 2025 Henry Johnson Army website removed for federal DEI review The U.S. military has temporarily removed a website honoring the renaming of Fort Polk after World War I soldier Henry Johnson, a Black war hero from Albany, while it reviews "culturally... (more)
WWNY -- Mon, 24 Mar 2025 National Guard cuts ribbon on new recruiting office in Potsdam (video) POTSDAM, New York (WWNY) - The New York Army National Guard has a new recruiting presence at SUNY Potsdam. The ribbon was cut on the new recruiting office on Monday. In attendance were... (more)