Who is in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a memorial dedicated to the unidentified remains of soldiers who have died in combat, and it is located in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, United States. The tomb is a symbol of respect and gratitude for the sacrifices made by these brave men and women who have given their lives in defense of their country.
The Unknown Soldier
The Unknown Soldier is a term used to describe the remains of a soldier whose identity is unknown or has been lost. In the United States, the Unknown Soldier is typically referred to as the "Unknown Soldier of World War I," "Unknown Soldier of World War II," "Unknown Soldier of the Korean War," and "Unknown Soldier of the Vietnam War."
The First Unknown Soldier
The first Unknown Soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, 1921. He was a World War I soldier whose remains were identified as those of an American soldier who died in France on October 24, 1918. The soldier was exhumed from a cemetery in France and brought back to the United States, where he was buried in a ceremony attended by President Warren G. Harding.
The Unknown Soldier of World War II
The Unknown Soldier of World War II was buried in Arlington National Cemetery on May 30, 1958. He was a soldier whose remains were identified as those of an American soldier who died in Europe on October 29, 1942. The soldier was exhumed from a cemetery in France and brought back to the United States, where he was buried in a ceremony attended by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The Unknown Soldier of the Korean War
The Unknown Soldier of the Korean War was buried in Arlington National Cemetery on May 30, 1958. He was a soldier whose remains were identified as those of an American soldier who died in Korea on December 21, 1950. The soldier was exhumed from a cemetery in Korea and brought back to the United States, where he was buried in a ceremony attended by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The Unknown Soldier of the Vietnam War
The Unknown Soldier of the Vietnam War was buried in Arlington National Cemetery on May 28, 1984. He was a soldier whose remains were identified as those of an American soldier who died in Vietnam on February 20, 1978. The soldier was exhumed from a cemetery in Vietnam and brought back to the United States, where he was buried in a ceremony attended by President Ronald Reagan.
The Current Unknown Soldier
The current Unknown Soldier is a soldier whose remains were identified as those of an American soldier who died in Afghanistan on June 9, 2004. The soldier was exhumed from a cemetery in Afghanistan and brought back to the United States, where he was buried in a ceremony attended by President George W. Bush.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a white marble tomb that is surrounded by a black granite wall. The tomb is guarded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment, also known as "The Old Guard." The tomb is also watched over by a special team of honor guards who are responsible for ensuring the tomb is always in a state of perfect appearance.
The Changing of the Guard
The Changing of the Guard ceremony is a daily ceremony that takes place at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The ceremony involves the exchange of the guard between the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment and the Old Guard. The ceremony is a symbol of respect and honor for the Unknown Soldier and is a popular tourist attraction.
Interesting Facts
- The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is the final resting place of over 100,000 unknown soldiers.
- The Unknown Soldier is reburied every year on Memorial Day in a ceremony attended by the President of the United States.
- The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is one of the most visited memorials in the United States, with over 1 million visitors each year.
- The Unknown Soldier is the only soldier in the United States who is buried with full military honors, including a 21-gun salute and the playing of "Taps."
Conclusion
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a powerful symbol of respect and gratitude for the sacrifices made by American soldiers who have died in combat. The Unknown Soldier is a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice that these brave men and women have made for their country, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of honoring and remembering those who have given their lives in service to their country.
Table: Unknown Soldiers
| Unknown Soldier | War | Date of Death | Date of Burial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown Soldier of World War I | World War I | October 24, 1918 | November 11, 1921 |
| Unknown Soldier of World War II | World War II | October 29, 1942 | May 30, 1958 |
| Unknown Soldier of the Korean War | Korean War | December 21, 1950 | May 30, 1958 |
| Unknown Soldier of the Vietnam War | Vietnam War | February 20, 1978 | May 28, 1984 |
| Unknown Soldier of the Afghanistan War | Afghanistan War | June 9, 2004 | May 30, 2008 |
Bullets List: Interesting Facts
• The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is the final resting place of over 100,000 unknown soldiers.
• The Unknown Soldier is reburied every year on Memorial Day in a ceremony attended by the President of the United States.
• The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is one of the most visited memorials in the United States, with over 1 million visitors each year.
• The Unknown Soldier is the only soldier in the United States who is buried with full military honors, including a 21-gun salute and the playing of "Taps."
