The World War I unknown is below the marble sarcophagus. Other unknowns are beneath the white slabs on the ground. They are the World War II unknown (left), and the Korean War unknown (right) The remains of the former Vietnam unknown were under the middle slab until 1998 when he was identified by DNA analysis as Michael Blassie. In late 1920 the United Kingdom had buried one of their unknown warriors in Westminster Abbey. France soon followed with their Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath the Arc de Triomphe, and on March 4, 1921, the United States Congress approved the burial of an unidentified American soldier from World War I in the plaza of the new Memorial Amphitheater. The tomb's design was selected in a competition won by architect Lorimer Rich. The white marble sarcophagus has a flat-faced form and is relieved at the corners and along the sides by neo-classic pilasters, or columns, set into the surface. The stone was quarried in Marble, Colorado. Sculpted into the east panel which faces Washington, D.C., are three Greek figures representing Peace, Victory, and Valor. Inscribed on the western panel of the Tomb are the words: HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD The six wreaths carved into the north and south of the tomb represent six major battles of World War I. The Tomb sarcophagus was placed above the grave of the Unknown Soldier of World War I. West of the World War I Unknown are the crypts of unknowns from World War II (north) and Korea (south). Between the two lies a crypt which once contained an unknown from Vietnam (middle). His remains were identified in 1998 as First Lieutenant Michael Blassie and removed. Those three graves are marked with white marble slabs flush with the plaza. |
| The Tomb of the Unknowns (also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, although it has never been officially named) is a monument in Arlington National Cemetery, United States dedicated to the American soldiers who have died without their remains being identified. |
It is considered one of the highest honors to serve as a sentinel for the graves of the Unknown Soldiers. Over 80% of soldiers who try out for this duty do not make it. The sentinels do not wear rank insignia on their uniforms, so they do not outrank the Unknowns, whatever their rank may have been. Soldiers serving in other roles, like Relief Commander and Assistant Relief Commander, do wear insignia of their rank. There is a meticulous ritual the guard follows when watching over the graves: 1. The soldier walks twenty one steps across the Tomb. This alludes to the 21-gun salute, which is the highest honor given to any military or foreign dignitary. His or her weapon is always on the shoulder opposite the Tomb (i.e., on the side of the gallery watching the ritual). 2. On the 21st step, the soldier turns and faces the Tomb for 21 seconds. 3. The soldier then turns to face the other way across the Tomb and changes his or her weapon to the outside shoulder. 4. After 21 seconds, the first step is repeated. This is repeated until the soldier is relieved of duty at the Changing of the Guard. The Tomb of the Unknowns has been guarded continuously, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, since July 2, 1937. Inclement weather does not cause the watch to cease. The guards are extremely disciplined - even beyond what one might expect in soldiers - and will not show the effect the weather may have on them. |
| President Bush laying a wreath at the tomb of the unknowns. |
| The Changing of the Guards - a very precise ceremony |
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