Under authority of public resolution 67, of the 66th Congress, approved March 4, 1921, an unknown American soldier was exhumed from each of the four American cemeteries in France. They were place in identical caskets and assembled at Chalons Sur Marne. The Unknown Soldier was selected on October 24, 1921. Sergeant Edgar F. Younger, US Army, carrying a spray of white roses, entered the room where the four unmarked flag-draped caskets were resting. He slowly circled, silently placing the roses on one of the caskets. Thus the Unknown Soldier was officially designated. The three remaining Unknowns were then returned to the Meuse Argonne Cemetery. The Unknown Soldier was placed aboard the US Cruiser Olympia, which arrived at the Nation’s Capital on November 9, 1921. The honored remains were taken to the rotunda of the United States Capital, to rest in state until Armistice Day. On November 11, the Unknown Soldier was moved to the Memorial amphitheatre, in Arlington National Cemetery. After services in the amphitheater, the remains were borne to the sarcophagus for brief committal rites. The impressive service closed with three salvos of artillery, the sounding of taps, and the National salute.

Under authority of Public Law 429, 79th Congress, Approved 24 June 1946. 13 Unknown Americans who lost their lives while serving overseas in the Armed Forces of the United States during World War II were exhumed from American cemeteries in Europe and Africa and shipped in identical caskets to Epinal, France. Major General Edward J. O'Neill, US Army, on May 12, 1958, solemnly chose from among these caskets one to be designated as the Trans Atlantic candidate Unknown. The remaining unknown Americans were reinterred. The remains of two unknown Americans were disinterred on April 15, 1958 from the National Cemetery of the Pacific, Hawaii, and four unknowns were disinterred from the Fort McKinley American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines. The six unknowns were then taken to Hickam Air Force Base, where on May 16, 1958, Colonel Glenn T. Eagleston, US Air Force, placed a white carnation lei, selecting the candidate Unknown to represent the Trans Pacific Phase of World War II. The five other caskets were reinterred. The candidate unknown was then transported to the cruiser Canberra where the final selection of the World War II unknown took place on the after-missile deck of the Canberra. Hospitalman First Class William R. Charette, the Navy's only active enlisted holder of the Medal of Honor, had the distinction of making the selection of the World War II unknown. After a moments hesitation he placed a wreath at the foot of the casket on his right. This was the Unknown of World War II. The unknown not selected received a sailor's burial at sea.

Under authority of Public Law 972, 84th Congress, approved August 3, 1956, four unknown Americans who lost their lives while serving overseas in the Armed Forces of the United States during the Korean Conflict were exhumed from the National Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii. On May 15, 1958 Master Sergeant Ned Lyle, US Army, holding a carnation wreath stood momentarily silent before the four identical flag-draped caskets. He placed the wreath on the end casket to signify the selection of the Korean War Unknown. The remaining unknown Americans were reinterred at the National Cemetery of the Pacific. The Unknown of Korea was transported to the Cruiser Canberra to join the Unknown of World War II. At sea off Norfolk, Virginia, the Unknowns of World War II and Korea were transferred to the Destroyer Blandy, which brought them to the Nation's Capitol. Upon their arrival on May 28, 1958 the Unknowns were taken to the Rotunda of the Nation's Capitol, to rest in state until Memorial Day, May 30, 1958. The Unknowns were then moved to the Memorial Amphitheater in Arlington National Cemetery and there before the distinguished guests, the President awarded the Medal of Honor to each. After the services, they were borne to this plaza, and following religious rites, they received a 21 Gun Salute. The services concluded with the firing of three volleys and the sounding of Taps.

The 3rd United States Infantry has served our Nation continuously since 1784, and today is the oldest active-duty infantry unit in the U.S. Army. Headquartered out of Fort Myer, Virginia, it is traditionally known as 'The Old Guard', a proud nickname ascribed by General Winfield Scott during a victory parade at Mexico City in 1847.

Since World War II The Old Guard has been the Army's official HONOR GUARD. Among their duties, beyond providing security to our Nation's Capitol in time of national emergency or civil disturbance, are some of the most impressive displays of military ceremony. Soldiers from The Old Guard escort the President, conduct military ceremonies at the White House, Pentagon, and national memorials in our Capitol City, including funeral details and other special ceremonies at Arlington National Cemeteries. One of their most recognized responsibilities is providing sentinels...Tomb Guards, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Since April 6, 1948 the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, regardless of weather. Millions of Americans annually visit the Memorial Amphitheater to watch these dedicated soldiers of a new generation, dutifully pace 21 steps across a black mat on the west face of the Tomb. It is a time honored ritual, executed with great precision and filled with American pride. Appropriately, the men who march 21 steps south, turn and march 21 steps north, and then repeat the process minute-by-minute for up to an hour at a time day or night, are the very best of the Army's best. Whether under a blazing sun, unsheltered from driving rains, or in freezing snow, they perform their duty with great precision and military bearing. Each of them is a volunteer from the 3rd Infantry, eligible to apply for duty as a sentinel ONLY after they have already been ceremonially qualified in The Old Guard. Each soldier among them is physically fit for the demanding responsibility and between 5'10 and 6'4 tall with a proportionate weight and build.

In 1973 Congress passed Public Law 93-43 directing the Secretary of Defense to intern an unknown American serviceman from the Vietnam Conflict at The Tomb of the Unknowns. The sophisticated identification techniques were remarkably efficient, and it was not until 1984 that remains of an American serviceman were classified as unidentifiable. During ceremonies at Pearl Harbor on May 17, 1984, Sgt. Maj. Allan Kellogg, Jr., A Medal of Honor recipient during the Vietnam Conflict, placed a wreath before the casket, formally designating the Unknown from the Vietnam Conflict. The Unknown was placed aboard the USS Brewton for transport to the mainland United States. The Unknown arrived at the U.S. Capitol on May 25, 1984, where he lay in state for three days in the Rotunda. On Memorial Day, May 28, 1984, an elaborate funeral procession transferred the body to the Memorial Amphitheater. During the service, President Ronald Reagan presented the Medal of Honor to the Unknown. The Vietnam Unknown was then borne to the plaza and following religious rites, a 21 Gun Salute was rendered. The solemn service concluded with three volleys of rifle fire, followed by the sounding of Taps. The remains of the Vietnam Unknown were exhumed May 14, 1998. Based on mitochondrial DNA testing, Department of Defense scientists identified the remains as those of Air Force 1st Lt. Michael Joseph Blassie, who was shot down near An Loc, Vietnam, in 1972. Lieutenant Blassie was subsequently reinterred near his family's home in St. Louis, Missouri. Based upon the advancements in remains identification it seems unlikely that body of a truly unknown soldier from the Vietnam war could ever be found, and it has been determined that the crypt will therefore remain empty.

Acceptance in The Old Guard's Company E does not assure a volunteer that he will become one of the fewer than 400 soldiers in the last 45 years to earn the distinctive Tomb Guard Badge. Before any soldier is allowed 'a walk', he must memorize seven pages of history on Arlington National Cemetery and then recite it verbatim. If a soldier finishes this phase and is granted 'a walk', he enters a new phase of training known as 'new-soldier training'. In addition to extensive training in the manual of arms, the guard change ceremony, and the intricacies of military ritual, the new-soldier is required to memorize additional information on Arlington, including the grave locations of nearly 300 veterans.

It may take months for a soldier to earn the right to TEST to wear the coveted Silver Tomb Guard Identification badge, and even then, the award is temporary. Only after the sentinel has served at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for nine months does the award become permanent. One of the Army's rarest emblems, it features the inverted laurel and a replica of the East face of the tomb where Greek images represent the virtues of Victory, Valor, and Peace.

Each 'walk' is a shift of one-half hour during daylight hours in the summer, one hour during daylight hours in the winter, and all night shifts are one-hour walks. Each walk concludes with the ceremonial Changing of the Guards...even when no audience is present

The sentinel marches 21 steps across the black mat, past the final resting places of the Unknown Soldiers of World War I, World War II, Korea, and the empty crypt of the Unknown Soldier of the Vietnam War. With a crisp turn, the sentinel turns 90 degrees to face east for 21 seconds. The sentinel then turns a sharp 90 degrees again to face north for 21 seconds. A crisp 'shoulder-arms' movement places the rifle on the shoulder nearest the visitors to signify that the sentinel stands between the tomb and any threat. After the moment, the sentinel paces 21 steps north, turns and repeats the process. The practiced cadence is timed so that the sentinel paces at a rate of 90 steps each minute.

My dedication to this sacred duty is total and whole hearted. In the responsibility bestowed on me never will I falter. And with dignity and perseverance my standard will remain perfection. Through the years of diligence and praise and the discomfort of the elements. I will walk my tour in humble reverence to the best of my ability. It is he who commands the respect I protect his bravery that made us so proud. Surrounded by well meaning crowds by day, alone in the thoughtful peace of night, This soldier in honored glory rest under my eternal vigilance.

Despite there arduous schedule, The Old Guard continuously prepares for its security and infantry missions by conducting year-round training, culminating in a rigorous evaluation of unit tactical proficiency. Because of this, all soldiers are as familiar with traditional infantry or military-police duties as they are with ceremonial duties.

The Old Guard annually participates in more than 6,000 ceremonies, an average of 16 per day.

The black-and-tan 'buff strap' worn on the left shoulder by each member of the 3rd Infantry is a replica of the knapsack strap used by 19th-century predecessors of the unit to display its distinctive colors and distinguish its members from other Army units. The present buff strap continues to signify an Old Guard soldier's pride in personal appearance and precision performance that has marked the unit for 200 years.

Duty time when not 'walking' is spent in the Tomb Guard Quarters below the Memorial Display Room of the Memorial Amphitheater where they study Cemetery 'knowledge,' clean their weapons and help the rest of their relief prepare for the Changing of the Guard. The guards also train on their days off.

The changing of the guard ceremony is conducted every hour in winter time, and every half hour during summer daylight hours to provide visitors ample opportunity to witness one of the Army's proudest traditions.

When the sentinel assigned the next walk leaves the guards' quarters, he unlocks the bolt of his M-14 rifle to signify that he is ready to begin the ceremony.

As the active sentry nears the conclusion of his walk, a uniformed relief commander enters the plaza to announce the Changing of the Guard. The relief commander approaches the tomb, slowly salutes, then faces the visitors and requests silence during the ceremony.

The Tomb Guard marches 21 steps down the black mat behind the Tomb, turns, faces east for 21 seconds, turns and faces north for 21 seconds, then takes 21 steps down the mat and repeats the process. After the turn, the sentinel executes a sharp 'shoulder-arms' movement to place the weapon on the shoulder closest to the visitors to signify that the sentinel stands between the Tomb and any possible threat. Twenty-one was chosen because it symbolizes the highest military honor that can be bestowed -- the 21-gun salute.

Since April 6, 1948 the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, regardless of weather. Millions of Americans annually visit the Memorial Amphitheater to watch these dedicated soldiers of a new generation, dutifully pace 21 steps across a black mat on the west face of the Tomb. It is a time honored ritual, executed with great precision and filled with American pride

Jeff Griffith, a former sentinel, said sentinels don't seek or desire accolades for their service, rather it's about the respect for the unknowns laid to rest. 'That was someone's son who went to war and died,' he said. Honoring the unknown is 'a tradition rich in the U.S. Army ... that their country and Army has not forsaken them.' 'It follows the idea of combat -- soldiers don't leave fallen buddies behind,' Griffith added.

Sentinels strive for perfection in every step and take their duties very seriously, Griffith said, staying focused despite what's going on in the crowds watching the ceremonies. Some of his most touching moments always occurred later in the evening when one or two people came to the tomb, many breaking down in tears.

On March 22, 1996, Sergeant Heather Lynn Johnsen became the first woman to earn the prestigious tomb guard identification badge, an honor afforded to only 389 soldiers since it was created in 1958.

As the active sentry nears the conclusion of his walk, a uniformed relief commander enters the plaza to announce the Changing of the Guard.

When the sentinel assigned the next walk leaves the guards' quarters, he unlocks the bolt of his M-14 rifle to signify that he is ready to begin the ceremony.

As the new sentinel approaches the relief commander slowly and with great precision, conducts a white-glove inspection of the sentinel's weapon.

'Pass on your orders.' the commander instructs the active sentinel. Post and orders, remain as directed.' He replies. 'Orders acknowledged.' Answers the relieving sentinel, who then steps into position at the center of the black mat. As soon as the relief commander passes, the new sentinel begins his own walk

The two then march to the center of the mat where the duty sentinel stops his walk, and all three men salute the Tomb.

On February 17, 1997 Sergeant Danyell E. Wilson, became the first African-American woman to earn the prestigious badge and guard the Tomb of the Unknowns.

They Guard the Unknown' He walks the stiff walk of a Tomb Guard, Eyes forward..... fixed........ head held high. He's much more than spit and polish, They're his duty, for them he would die. Makes no difference...time or weather, Day or night, winter, summer, spring, fall. In Arlington Cemetery, He gives honor, to those who gave all. The lost, the unknown, the forgotten. It is here they are laid to rest. Each footstep you hear, their cadence so clear. Says, the best, of the best, of the best. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, A sacred duty, ........a trust. Each soldier selected a Tomb Guard, Must prove honorable, worthy and just. Every Sentry is one of the chosen, He guards those who gave their lives. He walks to acknowledge their sacrifice, For their parents, friends, children and wives. Not a moment, goes unnoticed. Not a second are they left alone. In burning heat, or freezing cold, They are honored, remembered.... They're home. Each man who stands watch, has a duty, Guardian angel, in Army blue. For the men who gave all, for their country, Laid their lives down, for me and for you. The old Guard...... a monument living, Saying so much more than cold stone. Here lie the men, who make freedom ring, A guard walks.....so they're never....... alone. Dedicated to my nephew, Todd Brunori, A Guardian Angel in Army Blue by Nancy Wydeen Cerretani