All over the country we have some of the nicest memorials to those we’ve lost in war. Virginia, Maryland and D.C. have many of them, normally open to the public. I have personally been to many on the East Coast, family vacations were usually educational. One that always made me feel honored to be at is the Arlington National Cemetery. You cannot go there and not feel the impact of the lives lost to keep America free. Thousands of men and women have fought for that freedom and lost their lives. We honor them with military honors and a grave stone. But what of those we don’t know who they are? For them we have the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery's most iconic memorial, stands atop a hill overlooking Washington, D.C. The neoclassical, white marble sarcophagus depicts three carved Greek figures representing Peace, Victory, and Valor. Inscribed on the back of the Tomb are the words:
Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God
The Tomb sarcophagus stands above the grave of the Unknown Soldier of World War I. To the west are the crypts for an Unknown Soldier from World War II and the Korean War. A white marble slab flush with the plaza marks each crypt. (Arlingtoncemetery.mil)
WWI
In September 1921, France, four unknown American soldiers were exhumed and Army SGT Edward F. Younger was to pick one to be laid to rest in the tomb. 90,000 people came to pay their respects as the coffin lay in the Capitol Rotunda for two days. On Armistice Day (Nov. 11) 1921, bearers from the Army, Marines and Navy transported the coffin for the procession to Arlington. President Harding officiated the ceremony. 5000 people were in attendance. Full military honors were given.
WWII and Korean War
Due to our involvement in the Korean War there was a delay in plans for a WWII Unknown soldier. In Aug of 1956, President Eisenhower signed a bill to honor the Unknown from those wars. WWII proved to be difficult since soldiers were buried in several countries. The US Army collected 18 unknown soldiers needing to come home to America. Navy Hospitalman 1st Class William R. Charette selected the WWII Unknown Soldier. The other 17 were given burials at sea. Army officials chose one of four Unknown Soldiers from the Korean War out of the National Cemetery of the Pacific. On May 28th, 1958 both coffins arrived at the Capitol Rotunda for two days of public visitation. On May 30th they were laid to rest in the Tomb next to their WWI brother. They were each awarded the Medal of Honor from President Eisenhower.
Vietnam
In 1978, President Carter dedicated a plaque to the missing from Vietnam. Technology had made it harder for there to be unknown soldiers but he needed to make sure we honored them. The American public along with President Reagan wanted to honor Vietnam veterans at Arlington. May 17th, 1984, US Marine Sgt Maj. Allan J Kellogg, Jr chose the Unknown for Vietnam. Memorial Day that Year the coffin was laid to rest with his brothers after two days of public viewing at the Capitol Rotunda. He to was awarded the Medal of Honor. In May 1988 the Vietnam Unknow was finally identified through DNA testing. Air Force 1st Lt. Michael J Blassie was returned to his family for burial. The crypt remains empty but in Sept 1999 was rededicated to honor all the missing US Service Members for Vietnam. The empty crypt is now inscribed with the words “Honoring and Keeping Faith with America’s Missing Servicemen, 1958-1975.”
The Old Guard
But who guards these heroes? Well, more heroes! Since midnight on July 2nd, 1937, soldiers have guarded the Tombs. In 1948 the men and women serving in the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) have guarded these Tombs 24/7/365. They remain in a constant vigil regardless of the weather conditions.
These Sentinels go through a lot of interviews, testing and requirements just to begin their specialized training.
Would-be Tomb Guards must first undergo an interview and a two-week trial. During the trial phase, they memorize seven pages of Arlington National Cemetery history. This information must be recited verbatim in order to earn a "walk."
If a soldier passes the first training phase, "new soldier" training begins. New Sentinels learn the history of Arlington National Cemetery and the grave locations of nearly 300 veterans.They learn the guard-change ceremony, the manual of arms, and methods for keeping their uniforms and weapons in immaculate condition.
These Sentinels must pass multiple tests to earn the privilege of wearing the silver Tomb Guard Identification Badge. First, they are tested on their manual of arms knowledge, uniform preparation and walks. Then, they take the badge test, consisting of 100 randomly selected questions from the 300 items memorized during training. The would-be badge holder must get more than 95 percent correct.
The Tomb Guard Identification Badge is a temporary award until the badge-holding Sentinel has honorably served at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for nine months. At that time, the award can become a permanent badge, which may be worn for the rest of a military career. The silver badge is an upside-down, laurel-leaf wreath surrounding a depiction of the Tomb's front face, the words "Honor Guard," and figures representing Peace, Victory and Valor. Over 600 Tomb Guards have earned the badge since the late 1950s. (Arlingtoncemetery.mil)
The Old Guard 3rd Infantry is the old active duty infantry dating back to 1784. They are a ceremonial unit as well as escort for the President. They also provide security for Washington D.C. in times of national emergency or civil disturbance.
The Old Guard annually participated in more than 6,000 ceremonies, averaging 16 per day. All while preparing for its security and infantry missions by training year round.
(Information and pictures come from ArlingtonCemetery.mil. A great Video about the Old Guard is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QebrbHpjAac)
So to all those we have lost known and unknown we Thank You and your families for your service. To those of the Old Guard we Thank You for guard our fallen and keeping the historical ceremony in place to allow us to honor them. You have faced some of the harshest weather conditions and didn’t let it stop you from guarding the Tombs. Thank you for all you do to keep this country as amazing as it is!
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