Mrs. Ida’s Class

Happy Veterans Day! Let’s learn about how we can honor those who have died serving our country… even when we don’t know their identities.

Have you ever wondered…

* Who is the unknown soldier?
* What words are inscribed on the Tomb of the Unknowns?
* Who are the Tomb Guards?

Did you know?

Veterans Day is a holiday observed in the United States on November 11 each year to honor all those who have served in the military. On this day, we take time to honor all people who have served honorably in the military, both living and deceased veterans, in wartime and peacetime.

All throughout history, millions of soldiers have died in battle in countless wars. Whenever possible, their remains are identified and sent home, so that their families can give them a proper burial.

Sometimes, though, fallen soldiers remain unidentified. After World War I, a movement began to honor unidentified soldiers with a single tomb that would contain the body of a single unknown soldier.

That one soldier would then serve as a symbol of the sacrifice of all the unknown soldiers who died in battle. Today, there are many such memorials around the world.

Many of them have become frequently visited national monuments. In the United States, the Tomb of the Unknowns (often called the “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier”) is located in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

The Tomb of the Unknowns has become a popular monument dedicated to American service members who have died unidentified. The Tomb of the Unknowns contains the remains of unidentified soldiers from several wars.

The Tomb of the Unknowns is made of white marble. On its eastern side are three Greek figures that represent Peace, Victory and Valor. On its western side are the following words:

HERE RESTS IN
HONORED GLORY
AN AMERICAN
SOLDIER
KNOWN BUT TO GOD

On its northern and southern sides are six wreaths that represent the six major battles of World War I.

The Tomb of the Unknowns has been guarded continuously — 24 hours per day, 7 days per week — since July 2, 1937. Even bad weather doesn’t interrupt the watch.

The Tomb of the Unknowns is guarded by the Tomb Guards, a special platoon within the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (also called “The Old Guard”). It is an extremely high honor to serve as a Tomb Guard.

Fewer than 20 percent of volunteers are accepted for training, and of those only a few pass the training to become a Tomb Guard.

When watching over the Tomb of the Unknowns, the Tomb Guards follow a detailed ritual:

* A soldier walks 21 steps across in front of the Tomb of the Unknowns. The soldier holds his weapon on the shoulder opposite the Tomb.
* On the 21st step, the soldier turns and faces the Tomb for 21 seconds.
* The soldier turns in the opposite direction and changes his weapon to his outside shoulder.
* After waiting another 21 seconds, the soldier walks another 21 steps back across in front of the Tomb, and the process repeats until the changing of the guard.

The number 21 is significant, because it represents the three volleys — the highest honor given to any military personnel in America — which consists of seven riflemen each firing three shots for a total of 21.

Try it out!

Ready to watch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns? The changing of the guard is an important symbolic event that occurs multiple times each day every day of the year.

In the summer, the guard changes every half hour during the day. In the winter, it changes every hour.

After Arlington National Cemetery closes to the public each evening, the guard changes every two hours until the cemetery reopens. Although symbolic, the changing of the guard is conducted precisely according to Army regulations.

During the ritual, the guard being relieved will tell the new guard, “Post and orders remain as directed.” The new guard always replies, “Orders acknowledged.”

Wonder words to know and use:

* veteran
* identity
* unknown
* soldier
* inscribed
* burial
* tomb
* sacrifice
* memorial
* monument
* valor
* infantry
* regiment
* platoon
* continuously
* ritual
* symbolic
* acknowledged
* victory