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Tomb of the Unknowns |
THROUGH
MOUNTAIN MISTS
Early Settlers of
Their
Descendants...Their Stories...Their Achievements
Lifting the
Mists of History on Their Way of Life
By: Ethelene Dyer Jones
America, the
Home of the Brave
Voting is a privilege of
citizens, not
easily won, especially the issue of women's suffrage. It is our way of
having a
voice in government, and of upholding the Constitution of the United
States
which has been a vehicle for our freedoms for well over two hundred
years.
The second event of note in this
week is
Veterans' Day November 11. For a long time we called it Armistice Day,
marking
the end of World War I in 1918. In our more modern version, it is a day
set
aside to honor the bravery and sacrifice of those willing to take up
arms in
defense of our country and other countries where the benefits of
freedom may be
unknown. On Veterans' Day, we should find and thank a military person
who was
willing to make the sacrifice to uphold American liberty. When I hear
the
strains of our "Star Spangled Banner," and see Old Glory flying
aloft, my patriotism is lifted to a high level. I exult that America is
still
"the home of the brave."
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A most majestic place I have
visited
several times is Arlington National Cemetery just outside Washington,
DC at
Arlington, Virginia. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (now called the
Tomb of
the Unknowns) holds prominence at the front of the stately Arlington
Memorial
Amphitheater where people gather to watch the changing of the guard and
for
memorial services.
On the tomb is inscribed these
words:
"Here Rests In Honored Glory An American Soldier Known But To God."
The interment in the tomb of the
first
selected Unknown Soldier occurred November 11, 1921. Killed in World
War I, he
was selected by US Army Sergeant Edward F. Younger from four American
soldiers
fatally wounded in combat, none of which were identified. At the city
hall of
Chalons-sur-Marne, France on October 24, 1921, Sgt. Younger placed
white roses
on the third casket from the left, and in that manner designated the
Unknown
Soldier of World War I. Any of the four could have been selected for
all were
worthy. The other three were interred in the Meuse Argonne Cemetery in
France.
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The
World War I selected Unknown Soldier was returned to America aboard the
USS
Olympia. His flag-draped casket lay in the Capitol Rotunda from his
arrival in
the United States until Armistice Day, November 11, 1921. His remains
were then
transferred to Arlington National Cemetery. President Warren G. Harding
presided at the impressive ceremony honoring America's Unknown Soldier.
Later, unknown soldiers from World War
II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War were interred in crypts west of
the
World War I Unknown Soldier. The dates of these burials, and the
president
leading the memorial services were, respectively:
The sentinels who guard the Tomb
24 hours a
day, 365 days a year (366 in Leap Year) are from the Third United
States
Infantry Regiment, sometimes called "The Old Guard." They subscribe
to a strict code of conduct and take their posts proudly and with
reverence.
Each pledges: "My dedication to this sacred duty is total and
wholehearted... I will not falter...I will walk my tour in humble
reverence...
Surrounded by well meaning crowds by day, alone in the thoughtful peace
of
night, this soldier will in honored glory rest under my eternal
vigilance."
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c2006 by
Ethelene Dyer
Jones; published Nov. 9,2006 in The Union Sentinel, Blairsville,
GA.
Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
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