Tomb of the Unknowns - Arlington National Cemetery
If you have ever seen the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers at the Arlington Cemetery, you must agree it is a sight you will never forget. The honor, respect, pageantry, and reverence for these unknown soldiers can actually be felt in the air as something palpable.
The Tomb contains the remains of unknown American soldiers from WWI, WWII and the Korean "Conflict". (In 1998, the remains of USAF First Lieutenant Michael Joseph Blassie were returned to his family for burial. DNA testing confirmed that Blassie was the formerly unknown soldier from the Vietnam War entombed at this memorial.)
I was raised in the Maryland/Virginia area and have visited Arlington National Cemetery many, many times - the visits are always awe-inspiring, sad, and emotional.
The Tomb is guarded around the clock by the 3rd United States Infantry.
As Memorial Day 2007 approaches, it is fitting that we remember the unknowns along with the "known" military men and women throughout the years who were killed in war. They will always be "forever young."
They shall grow not old
As we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them...
Nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun,
And in the morning,
We will remember them!
-- Lawrence Binyon
War drew us from our homeland
In the sunlit springtime of our youth.
Those who did not come back alive remain
in perpetual springtime -- forever young --
And a part of them is with us always."
-- Author Unknown
Please fly your flag this Memorial Day to show that you remember the brave soldiers who selflessly gave their own lives so that we can live free. God Bless America.
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