At the Tomb: “A Rare Opportunity”
Special for a Day at Arlington National Cemetery
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Centennial Commemoration Public Flower Ceremony, a two-day event, will be free and open to the public and will allow visitors to personally pay their respects to the Unknown Soldiers. This is a rare opportunity for the public to walk next to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a privilege otherwise given only to the sentinels of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, “The Old Guard.”
When the Tomb was created a hundred years ago, there were neither sentinels nor guards and the public could approach it, hopefully with awe and respect.
Over the years, it’s become a stage for a spectacle which all but overshadows the Unknown Soldiers and their heroic sacrifices.
The “privileged” sentinel performance has morphed into its own legend to the point that people don’t go to Arlington to visit the Tomb anymore but rather to see the “changing of the guard.”
They time their visit to be at the Tomb to see the pageant unfold.
As a guide who regularly takes groups to the Cemetery, I stopped using the phrase “changing of the guard” and instead only speak about “paying our respects at the Tomb of the Unknowns.”
When I talk about the Tomb as we arrive there, I explain the history and end with a few sentences about the sentinels and their purpose: just the facts with dignity and respect.
I cringe when a chaperone or parent specifically asks me to give more guard details to embellish their supernatural glory.
I place the guards within the context of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, of which they are a part.
It consists of three battalions: First, Second and Fourth.
The First has four companies: Bravo, Charlie, Delta and Hotel, each with
- Escort Platoon
- Casket Platoon
- Firing Party Platoon
- Headquarters Platoon
The Fourth is comprised of
- Tomb Guards
- Alpha company
- Echo Company (Honor Guard Company)
- Continental Color Guard
- 289 MP
- 529th Regimental Support Company.
There are other supporting elements including headquarters companies.
All of these soldiers conduct military ceremonies to honor the fallen:
- Honor Guards
- Bands
- Rifle teams
- Caisson platoons
- Presidential Salute Battery
The Second Battalion is stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington, and is part of the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the 2nd Infantry Division. It’s comprised of Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Golf companies and support units.
In my unstated view, the person mucking the stables at the fort is just as important as a tomb guard.
They all work in support of the mission: “to conduct memorial affairs to honor fallen comrades…”
They all do their jobs with professionalism, exactitude and passion.
But the show at the Tomb must go on.
When we leave the Tomb and walk down the hill, I stop and ask the students if there are any questions.
I then pull a $20 bill from my pocket and tell them it’s the prize if anyone can exactly restate what it says on the Tomb.
To date, I’ve kept my $20 because they were mesmerized by the spectacle and missed the point entirely.
“Here Rests in Honored Glory an American Soldier Known but to God.”
