Where Do We Find Such Men and Women?
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Old Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery (DOD) Where Do We Find Such Men and Women? he title of this article is a slightly years to April of 1861. Our nation is Due to his injuries, Corporal Tanner edited sentence from James divided and has fallen into civil war. was left behind when the Union Army T Michener’s 1953 novella The James R. Tanner, a 17-year-old farm boy moved on, and he was ultimately cap- Bridges at Toko-Ri. On December 17, from Richmondville, New York, enlists tured by Confederate forces. After being 1777, General George Washington in Company C of the 87th New York paroled, he spent weeks recovering before recruited former Prussian officer Baron Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Through finally being sent home. His time in the Friedrich Wilhelm Von Steuben to his steadfast dedication and incredible Army was finally over. However, his com- strengthen professionalism in the Colo- performance, he is rapidly promoted to mitment to service was not. Undaunted nial Army. Von Steuben then wrote the rank of corporal. Over the course of by the loss of his legs, he learned to a manual outlining the duties and the next 16 months, he would see action walk with artificial limbs and navigated responsibilities of the noncommissioned in nine major battle campaigns. His last through life continuing to serve the officer (NCO). In essence, this hall- battle would be the Second Battle of Nation. mark document was the creation of the Bull Run in August of 1862. When a Corporal Tanner, as he would be NCO in the U.S. Armed Forces. This Confederate artillery shell hit his position, known for the rest of his life, began his article is about one of those NCOs. he sustained massive shrapnel wounds civil service as a deputy door keep for the To fully understand the significance that required surgeons to amputate both New York State Assembly. During this of this event, we must go back 153 of his legs below the knees. time, he studied and became proficient 6 Dialogue / Where Do We Find Such Men and Women? JFQ 76, 1st Quarter 2015 in stenography, a skill that would soon prove critical. On April 14, 1865, while working as a clerk and stenographer for the Ordnance Department in Washington, DC, Tanner was summoned to the bedside of the critically wounded President Abraham Lincoln. During the course of the night, he meticulously recorded the eyewitness accounts of the shooting of the President. Tanner was present in the room when Lincoln finally succumbed to his wounds. Shortly afterward, Corporal Tanner left the Ordnance Department and began working as a committee clerk for the (Photo courtesy of Michael R. Patterson) New York State Legislature. He later moved on to the New York Customs Congressional Charter. Tanner lived a to fully recognize the actions and service House and eventually was promoted to remarkable life, and upon his death in of Corporal Tanner, the leadership of deputy customs collector. Tanner fin- 1927 was buried in Arlington National Arlington National Cemetery proudly ished his civil service as the tax collector Cemetery, just a few yards from the Old renamed the “Old” Amphitheater as the for Brooklyn and become an important Amphitheater. James Tanner Amphitheater on May 30, public speaker on behalf of fellow veter- Though this article highlights 2014. ans. Eventually Tanner opened a private Corporal Tanner in particular, it is im- Stop, if only for a moment, and re- legal practice dedicated to the defense of portant for the reader to know a little member those whose footsteps we have veterans. In April 1904, he was appointed about the Old Amphitheater. It was followed, those who dedicated their lives by President Theodore Roosevelt as erected in 1873 to serve as a location to service. Consider, too, the title of this the Register of Wills for the District of for patriotic meetings in celebration of article. It is a slightly edited sentence Columbia, a position he held until his Decoration Day (later renamed Memorial from James Michener’s 1953 novella death in 1927. Day), which had been established in The Bridges at Toko-Ri. In a 1982 radio Though employed in a full-time 1868. The amphitheater was first used address, President Ronald Regan asked capacity, it was not enough. Corporal on May 30, 1873, and remained in use this same question and answered it thus: Tanner did not just continue to serve his until the early 1900s when it became “we find [such men and women] where nation through civil service; he dedicated evident that the popularity of the events we’ve always found them. They are the much of his time to various veteran or- dictated that a new, larger venue was product of the freest society man has ever ganizations. Tanner served as a member needed. In 1920, the current Memorial known. They make a commitment to of the Grand Army of the Republic, an Amphitheater was christened, and the the military—make it freely, because the association for Union Army veterans. He original structure became informally birthright we share as Americans is worth was elected as the commander for the known as the Old Amphitheater. defending.” Next Memorial Day, visit the New York chapter and ultimately served Ninety-four years after assuming the James Tanner Amphitheater at Arlington as national commander. He was also a Old moniker, the amphitheater was for- in honor of all those noncommissioned member of the Union Veteran Legion mally renamed in recognition of a Civil officers who have served the greatest and went on to serve as its national com- War veteran who spent his life dedicated fighting force in the world. JFQ mander as well. While a serving member to civil service and advocating for his of the Grand Army of the Republic, fellow veterans. This Soldier can be de- Tanner was the driving force behind the scribed as the epitome of professionalism, BRYAN B. BAttAGLIA establishment of a Soldier’s Home in courage, patriotism, and more of what Sergeant Major, U.S. Marine Corps Bath, New York, and later, a Confederate our current NCO corps traditionally rep- Senior Enlisted Advisor to the veteran’s home in Richmond, Virginia. resents: leadership, selfless sacrifice, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Around this same time, Tanner a lifelong commitment to the Nation. and the Senior Noncommissioned Officer became an active member of the newly The amphitheater began its service as a in the U.S. Armed Forces founded American Red Cross. His efforts gathering place for the remembrance of saw him elected to the board of directors. the selfless actions and honorable deeds DONALD B. ABELE Through his tenacity and hard work, of all our veterans. Who qualifies more Command Master Chief, U.S. Navy Tanner would champion the Red Cross than Corporal James Tanner, U.S. Army, Deputy Director in its reorganization and ultimately to a to represent our veterans? In an effort U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy JFQ 76, 1st Quarter 2015 Battaglia and Abele 7.