Celebrations planned for Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Plant a rose, ring a bell, and observe a moment of silence this year to honor those who gave their lives in defense of the United States. That’s the request from a group representing current and former guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The Tomb was established at Arlington National Cemetery a century ago. The Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, asks Americans to mark the anniversary.

The Society’s president, Retired Army Sergeant Major Gavin McIlvenna spoke Monday evening with the National Press Club’s American Legion Post 20 virtually outlining the history of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and describing key events for the centennial year.

Churches, fire stations, and other public entities are asked to ring their bells 21 times at 11 a.m. on Veterans Day, Nov. 11 followed by a moment of silence. A similar bell-tolling honored the burial of the World War I Unknown Soldier at Arlington in 1921.

The Society of the Honor Guard also calls for a nationwide effort to plant “Never Forget” gardens. These individual and public gardens will serve as a visual representation of the duty to remember the fallen.

Plans include the planting of a special tree and white roses from France near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in October. A reciprocal tree from the United States are expected be planted near the Hotel de Ville in Chalons-en-Champagne, France.

On Nov. 9, a joint naval symposium at the Washington Navy Yard will highlight the history of the ships and crews that carried Unknown Soldiers home to the U.S. Other proposals include a concert series, along with commemorative coins and stamps.

The Society of the Honor Guard says individuals, schools, and civic groups can also get involved by taking part in art, essay, poetry, and music competitions with the Centennial as a theme.

The Tomb contains the body of an unidentified soldier from World War I. Unknowns from World War II and the Korean War are interred in crypts west of the World War I Unknown. An Unknown Soldier from the Vietnam War was also buried west of the Tomb in 1984. In 1998, the Vietnam Unknown Soldier was disinterred for DNA testing. The testing identified the remains as Air Force Captain Michael Blassie. His remains were moved to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in South St. Louis County, Missouri.

“I don’t think we’ll ever see another unknown soldier,” McIlvenna said.

Although other countries have memorials to unidentified fallen soldiers, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery is unique. “We’re the only one that provides a full 24-hour military guard,” McIlvenna said.

The Third U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard,” serves as the Army’s official ceremonial unit, and it guards the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Tomb Guards undergo an exacting selection process and meet high standards of conduct and professionalism.