When we arrived at Arlington National Cemetery, I knew that the highlight of the trip would be the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier. Of course we saw the JFK and RFK burial sites, the Custis Lee Mansion, and the beautiful view of the Mall from above, but there is something special about the Tomb.
We arrived just in time for the changing of the guard. There were people standing all around the balcony and steps of the amphitheatre that sits above the tomb, and yet all was very still.
There were 3 honor guards standing in front of the tomb when I snapped my photograph, and they were in perfect sync with each other, down to every detail. Their crisply starched uniforms are blue with gold belts, and they are wearing white gloves. They sport a very close military crew cut, hidden by blue hats with gold trim. Their boots are shiny patent leather--they dazzle the eye. They sound as if they are made with metal, because as the soldier in the middle takes a few steps, he clicks his heals together one time, and they make a sounds like a firecracker.
The tomb is made entirely of white marble. It’s sits at the top of a flight of steps that leads down to 2 long groves of blooming cherry trees and an expanse of neatly mown grass. Men, women and children are walking on one side or the other of the grass, going off to see another part of this enormous cemetery—this vast monument to our fallen heroes.
On the tomb it reads, “here rests in honored glory an American Soldier, known but to God.”
We arrived just in time for the changing of the guard. There were people standing all around the balcony and steps of the amphitheatre that sits above the tomb, and yet all was very still.
There were 3 honor guards standing in front of the tomb when I snapped my photograph, and they were in perfect sync with each other, down to every detail. Their crisply starched uniforms are blue with gold belts, and they are wearing white gloves. They sport a very close military crew cut, hidden by blue hats with gold trim. Their boots are shiny patent leather--they dazzle the eye. They sound as if they are made with metal, because as the soldier in the middle takes a few steps, he clicks his heals together one time, and they make a sounds like a firecracker.
The tomb is made entirely of white marble. It’s sits at the top of a flight of steps that leads down to 2 long groves of blooming cherry trees and an expanse of neatly mown grass. Men, women and children are walking on one side or the other of the grass, going off to see another part of this enormous cemetery—this vast monument to our fallen heroes.
On the tomb it reads, “here rests in honored glory an American Soldier, known but to God.”
The guard in the middle is wearing a pistol. (the other two hold a rifle) He’s the one who escorts each guard to and from the tomb. Slowly they all walk, genuflecting toward the tomb. They stop directly in front of the tomb, and the guard in the middle salutes. Clearly he is special. He is the escort; the one who wears the pistol, clicks his heals, and salutes the tomb.
There are remains in the tomb, but they are hidden behind the huge block of inscribed marble. Men who died in WWI, WWII and the Korean War lie there, and until recently the Vietnam War. They identified him some years ago, and buried his remains with his true identity.
I see other things here beyond the landscape and the detail of the honor guard and the tomb. I see generations of men and women fighting for democracy, fighting against tyranny and oppression, fighting against Nazi’s and against slavery; fighting for freedom.
I see unnecessary loss, men and women fighting pointless and futile wars for the sake of someone else’s political agenda.
But in the end, I feel a sense of pride and awe. I feel like a patriot.
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