The grave of Franklin Pierce received a colorful addition courtesy of the White House on Tuesday to commemorate the 215th birthday of the 14th president of the United States.
Pierce was born in 1804 on Nov. 23, which fell on a Saturday this year, but the ceremony was held three days later with members of the Pierce Brigade and second-grade students from Christa McAuliffe School in attendance.
“What makes President Pierce’s determination to persevere even more special is that he was doing it in the service of our country; many of his lifetime achievements were in service to our country. In fact, even when Pierce disagreed with things, he felt it his duty to follow the laws of our country. Service often takes personal sacrifice,” said Lt. Col. Brian R. Jusseaume, the Commander, 157th Maintenance Group, New Hampshire Air National Guard.
Pierce was president from 1853 to 1857, and is the only New Hampshire resident to hold the country’s highest elected office. Before he was elected president, Pierce served in the state Legislature, the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Pierce was the youngest speaker of the New Hampshire Legislature and served as a Brigadier General in the Mexican War.
The Pierce Brigade is a membership organization dedicated to preserving the legacy and home of Pierce, known as the Pierce Manse. In 1971, the home was saved from demolition by the Brigade and moved to its current location at 14 Horseshoe Pond Lane in Concord. For more information, visit piercemanse.org.