Captured by the @arlingtonmedia team on location, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is Arlington National Cemetery’s most iconic memorial. The neoclassical, white marble sarcophagus stands atop a hill overlooking Washington, D.C. Since 1921, it has provided a final resting place for one of America’s unidentified World War I service members, and Unknowns from later wars were added in 1958 and 1984. The Tomb has also served as a place of mourning and a site for reflection on military service – ANC.

Continue ReadingCaptured by the @arlingtonmedia team on location, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is Arlington National Cemetery’s most iconic memorial. The neoclassical, white marble sarcophagus stands atop a hill overlooking Washington, D.C. Since 1921, it has provided a final resting place for one of America’s unidentified World War I service members, and Unknowns from later wars were added in 1958 and 1984. The Tomb has also served as a place of mourning and a site for reflection on military service – ANC.

Pictured here is a bald eagle carved into the walls leading up to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Today, the American bald eagle is protected under the National Emblem Act of 1940. The Founding Fathers made an appropriate choice when they selected the bald eagle as the emblem of the nation. The fierce beauty and proud independence of this great bird aptly symbolizes the strength and freedom of America.

Continue ReadingPictured here is a bald eagle carved into the walls leading up to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Today, the American bald eagle is protected under the National Emblem Act of 1940. The Founding Fathers made an appropriate choice when they selected the bald eagle as the emblem of the nation. The fierce beauty and proud independence of this great bird aptly symbolizes the strength and freedom of America.

Twenty-four hours a day, soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard,” stand watch over the Tomb. The Tomb Guards, also called Sentinels, are chosen for this prestigious and highly selective post only after rigorous training and a demanding series of examinations (see below). The Old Guard has held this distinguished duty since 1948. An impeccably uniformed relief commander appears on the plaza to announce the changing of the guard. Soon, the new Sentinel leaves the Tomb Guard quarters and unlocks the bolt of his or her M-14 rifle, signaling to the relief commander to begin the ceremony. The relief commander walks out to the Tomb and salutes, then faces the spectators and asks them to stand and remain silent during the ceremony. The relief commander conducts a detailed white-glove inspection of the weapon, checking each part of the rifle once. Then, the relief commander and the relieving Sentinel meet the retiring Sentinel at the center of the black mat in front of the Tomb. All three salute the Unknown Soldiers who have symbolically been given the Medal of Honor. The relief commander orders the relieved Sentinel, “Pass on your orders.” The current Sentinel commands, “Post and orders, remain as directed.” The newly posted Sentinel replies, “Orders acknowledged,” and steps into position on the mat. When the relief commander passes, the new Sentinel begins walking at a cadence of 90 steps per minute. The Tomb Guard marches exactly 21 steps down the black mat behind the Tomb, turns, faces east for 21 seconds, turns and faces north for 21 seconds, then takes 21 steps down the mat and repeats the process. (The number 21 symbolizes the highest military honor that can be bestowed, the 21-gun salute.) Next, the Sentinel executes a sharp “shoulder-arms” movement to place the weapon on the shoulder closest to the visitors, signifying that he or she stands between the Tomb and any possible threat. – Arlington National Cemetery

Continue ReadingTwenty-four hours a day, soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard,” stand watch over the Tomb. The Tomb Guards, also called Sentinels, are chosen for this prestigious and highly selective post only after rigorous training and a demanding series of examinations (see below). The Old Guard has held this distinguished duty since 1948. An impeccably uniformed relief commander appears on the plaza to announce the changing of the guard. Soon, the new Sentinel leaves the Tomb Guard quarters and unlocks the bolt of his or her M-14 rifle, signaling to the relief commander to begin the ceremony. The relief commander walks out to the Tomb and salutes, then faces the spectators and asks them to stand and remain silent during the ceremony. The relief commander conducts a detailed white-glove inspection of the weapon, checking each part of the rifle once. Then, the relief commander and the relieving Sentinel meet the retiring Sentinel at the center of the black mat in front of the Tomb. All three salute the Unknown Soldiers who have symbolically been given the Medal of Honor. The relief commander orders the relieved Sentinel, “Pass on your orders.” The current Sentinel commands, “Post and orders, remain as directed.” The newly posted Sentinel replies, “Orders acknowledged,” and steps into position on the mat. When the relief commander passes, the new Sentinel begins walking at a cadence of 90 steps per minute. The Tomb Guard marches exactly 21 steps down the black mat behind the Tomb, turns, faces east for 21 seconds, turns and faces north for 21 seconds, then takes 21 steps down the mat and repeats the process. (The number 21 symbolizes the highest military honor that can be bestowed, the 21-gun salute.) Next, the Sentinel executes a sharp “shoulder-arms” movement to place the weapon on the shoulder closest to the visitors, signifying that he or she stands between the Tomb and any possible threat. – Arlington National Cemetery

American flags have been draped over military veterans’ coffins since the Napoleonic Wars in the late 1700s and early 1800s. The custom is rich with tradition and requires a certain protocol. Flags draped over coffins honor the memory of military members who serve the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Most veterans and active-service members of the military qualify for flag-draped coffins at their funerals. The Department of Veterans Affairs states that veterans with dishonorable discharges are not eligible for an official burial flag. Burial flags should never touch the ground, and when being used to drape a coffin, should never be lowered into the grave. The flag should be removed from the casket and folded into a triangle with only the union, or the blue field, showing. It will then be given to the deceased’s next of kin, friend or specified dependent.

Continue ReadingAmerican flags have been draped over military veterans’ coffins since the Napoleonic Wars in the late 1700s and early 1800s. The custom is rich with tradition and requires a certain protocol. Flags draped over coffins honor the memory of military members who serve the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Most veterans and active-service members of the military qualify for flag-draped coffins at their funerals. The Department of Veterans Affairs states that veterans with dishonorable discharges are not eligible for an official burial flag. Burial flags should never touch the ground, and when being used to drape a coffin, should never be lowered into the grave. The flag should be removed from the casket and folded into a triangle with only the union, or the blue field, showing. It will then be given to the deceased’s next of kin, friend or specified dependent.

A view of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier captured from Roosevelt Drive in Arlington National Cemetery. “Americans have long sought ways to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice to their country. Today in Arlington, Virginia, the public is welcome to do so daily by bearing witness to the Changing of the Guard. The tradition honors the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a tribute to unidentified members of the military lost in service. The Tomb, first erected in 1921, is located in Arlington National Cemetery. It holds the remains of servicemen from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. Throughout the day, a Soldier replaces a comrade in a symbolic ceremony.” – National Museum of the US Army

Continue ReadingA view of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier captured from Roosevelt Drive in Arlington National Cemetery. “Americans have long sought ways to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice to their country. Today in Arlington, Virginia, the public is welcome to do so daily by bearing witness to the Changing of the Guard. The tradition honors the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a tribute to unidentified members of the military lost in service. The Tomb, first erected in 1921, is located in Arlington National Cemetery. It holds the remains of servicemen from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. Throughout the day, a Soldier replaces a comrade in a symbolic ceremony.” – National Museum of the US Army

“Freedom in America Isn’t really free; We often pay a price To keep our liberty. Remember those we loved, Who fought for us, and died; And those we never knew For whom others mourned and cried. At home our “war” for freedom Is sadly overdue; We’ve let corruption stage A sad and grievous coup. No longer can we brush off Dishonesty and greed, Lust for wealth and power; We can’t, we won’t concede. Complacency is weakness Patriots can’t afford; We have to act on wrongs That cannot be ignored. We must give up some time, Spent on other pleasures, To restore America’s freedom, To keep America’s treasures. Money spent on trifles Must now go to our cause: Get rid of the offenders, Constitutional outlaws. Freedom in America Isn’t really free It’s up to American patriots; It’s up to you and me.” By Joanna Fuchs PC: @arlingtonmedia

Continue Reading“Freedom in America Isn’t really free; We often pay a price To keep our liberty. Remember those we loved, Who fought for us, and died; And those we never knew For whom others mourned and cried. At home our “war” for freedom Is sadly overdue; We’ve let corruption stage A sad and grievous coup. No longer can we brush off Dishonesty and greed, Lust for wealth and power; We can’t, we won’t concede. Complacency is weakness Patriots can’t afford; We have to act on wrongs That cannot be ignored. We must give up some time, Spent on other pleasures, To restore America’s freedom, To keep America’s treasures. Money spent on trifles Must now go to our cause: Get rid of the offenders, Constitutional outlaws. Freedom in America Isn’t really free It’s up to American patriots; It’s up to you and me.” By Joanna Fuchs PC: @arlingtonmedia

The Arlington House blanketed by a dusting of snow captured earlier this month by our team at @arlingtonmedia. Not only do we pride ourselves on accurately and respectfully capturing services for loved ones and family members to remember, but we also hope that our images can show parts of the cemetery and moments that are missed, passed-by, and sometimes unseen in the whirlwind of the experience. Photography immortalizes these moments as memories for generations to come — something we honored to do for America’s fallen heroes and their families.

Continue ReadingThe Arlington House blanketed by a dusting of snow captured earlier this month by our team at @arlingtonmedia. Not only do we pride ourselves on accurately and respectfully capturing services for loved ones and family members to remember, but we also hope that our images can show parts of the cemetery and moments that are missed, passed-by, and sometimes unseen in the whirlwind of the experience. Photography immortalizes these moments as memories for generations to come — something we honored to do for America’s fallen heroes and their families.