Whatʼs the tomb of the unknown soldier?

What’s the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a tomb dedicated to unidentified soldiers who have died in combat or as prisoners of war. The tomb is a symbol of respect and gratitude to these soldiers who have given their lives for their countries, but whose identities are unknown.

History of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

The concept of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier dates back to the end of World War I. After the war, many countries began to search for and identify the remains of their fallen soldiers, but in some cases, the bodies were too damaged or the circumstances of death too confusing to identify them. To honor these soldiers, several countries decided to create tombs for them.

The first Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was dedicated in Athens, Greece in 1922. It was soon followed by other countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the United States

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the United States is located in Arlington National Cemetery, just outside of Washington D.C. The tomb is a marble sarcophagus adorned with a bronze eagle and an inscription that reads: "Here Rests in Honored Glory an American Warrior Known But to God."

The tomb contains the remains of an unknown American soldier from World War I, who was identified as a young man in his early twenties. His remains were found in France and were later exhumed and transported to the United States for burial.

The Process of Identifying the Unknown Soldier

The process of identifying the unknown soldier is a long and complex one. The first step is to exhume the remains and perform a thorough forensic analysis to determine the individual’s age, sex, and physical characteristics.

Once the individual’s physical characteristics are known, the military searches for any records that may help identify the soldier. This can include things like fingerprints, dental records, and medical records.

If no identification is made, the remains are eligible to be buried in a tomb as an unknown soldier.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Other Countries

The concept of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been adopted by many countries around the world. Some of the notable tombs include:

• The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in the United Kingdom, which is located in Westminster Abbey in London.
• The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Canada, which is located in Ottawa, Ontario.
• The Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier in Canberra, Australia.
• The Tomb of the Unknown Russian Soldier in Moscow, Russia.

The Ceremony of the Changing of the Guard

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is also known for its ceremonial guard, which is changed daily at Arlington National Cemetery. The guard is made up of six soldiers from the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment, who take turns standing watch over the tomb.

The ceremony of the changing of the guard is a solemn and dignified event, with the old guard presenting the colors to the new guard and then passing off their duty to their reliever.

Interesting Facts and Figures

Here are some interesting facts and figures about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier:

• More than 400,000 unknown soldiers have been buried in tombs around the world.
• The tomb in Arlington National Cemetery is visited by millions of people each year.
• The cemetery is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
• The Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place daily at 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM.
• The guard is responsible for standing watch over the tomb for 24 hours a day.

Conclusion

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a powerful symbol of respect and gratitude to soldiers who have given their lives for their countries. It serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by these individuals and the importance of honoring their memories.

Whether it’s the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, or any other country, the significance of this symbol is the same: to honor the memory of soldiers who have died in combat or as prisoners of war, and to ensure that their sacrifices are never forgotten.

Table: Unknown Soldiers Buried in the United States

Note: The ages listed are approximate and based on forensic analysis and other available evidence.