The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier stands on the top of a hill overlooking Washington DC in Arlington National Cemetery. Congress approved the burial of an unidentified World War I soldier in the plaza of the then-new Memorial Amphitheater in 1921. The white marble sarcophagus has three Greek figures sculpted on the side representing Peace, Victory, and Valor. There are also six wreaths, three sculpted on each side, that represent the six major campaigns of World War I. On the back on the tomb, there is an inscription that reads: Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God. PC: @arlingtonmedia

Continue ReadingThe Tomb of the Unknown Soldier stands on the top of a hill overlooking Washington DC in Arlington National Cemetery. Congress approved the burial of an unidentified World War I soldier in the plaza of the then-new Memorial Amphitheater in 1921. The white marble sarcophagus has three Greek figures sculpted on the side representing Peace, Victory, and Valor. There are also six wreaths, three sculpted on each side, that represent the six major campaigns of World War I. On the back on the tomb, there is an inscription that reads: Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God. PC: @arlingtonmedia

Behind the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier lies the Memorial Amphitheater. Arlington National Cemetery’s Memorial Amphitheater was dedicated on May 15, 1920. While Memorial Day ceremonies are held throughout the United States, many consider the services at Memorial Amphitheater to be the nation’s official ceremony honoring American service members. The president of the United States traditionally gives an address during Memorial Day ceremonies at the amphitheater. A copper box placed in the cornerstone contains copies of the Bible, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution; a U.S. flag; designs and plans for the amphitheater; a map of Pierre Charles L’Enfant’s design for Washington, D.C.; one of each U.S. coin and postage stamp in use in 1915; an autographed photo of President Woodrow Wilson; and other documents pertaining to the history of the amphitheater and the nation’s capital.

Continue ReadingBehind the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier lies the Memorial Amphitheater. Arlington National Cemetery’s Memorial Amphitheater was dedicated on May 15, 1920. While Memorial Day ceremonies are held throughout the United States, many consider the services at Memorial Amphitheater to be the nation’s official ceremony honoring American service members. The president of the United States traditionally gives an address during Memorial Day ceremonies at the amphitheater. A copper box placed in the cornerstone contains copies of the Bible, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution; a U.S. flag; designs and plans for the amphitheater; a map of Pierre Charles L’Enfant’s design for Washington, D.C.; one of each U.S. coin and postage stamp in use in 1915; an autographed photo of President Woodrow Wilson; and other documents pertaining to the history of the amphitheater and the nation’s capital.

A flag is carefully folded during a section in the Millennium Section of Arlington National Cemetery. The Millennium expansion allows for the growth of this national memorial and provides 31,000 new burial spaces and structures, extensive stream restoration, landscape design, retaining walls, perimeter fencing, and vehicle and pedestrian access roads and walkways, all carefully designed to honor the site’s historic character. PC: @arlingtonmedia

Continue ReadingA flag is carefully folded during a section in the Millennium Section of Arlington National Cemetery. The Millennium expansion allows for the growth of this national memorial and provides 31,000 new burial spaces and structures, extensive stream restoration, landscape design, retaining walls, perimeter fencing, and vehicle and pedestrian access roads and walkways, all carefully designed to honor the site’s historic character. PC: @arlingtonmedia

Soldiers in The Old Guard hold a flag while a US Army Chaplain conducts a service in Arlington National Cemetery. The 1st Battalion, 3d US Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) conducts memorial affairs to honor our fallen comrades, and ceremonies and special events to represent the Army, communicating its story to our Nation’s citizens and the world. Captured by @arlingtonmedia.

Continue ReadingSoldiers in The Old Guard hold a flag while a US Army Chaplain conducts a service in Arlington National Cemetery. The 1st Battalion, 3d US Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) conducts memorial affairs to honor our fallen comrades, and ceremonies and special events to represent the Army, communicating its story to our Nation’s citizens and the world. Captured by @arlingtonmedia.

The ceremonial Changing of the Guard takes place 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. It has taken place without interruption since 1937. Neither whether nor acts of terrorism have prevented it from taking place. Before the Changing of the Guard, you will see a lone sentinel, sharply dressed in formal Army attire. At a certain point, the Sentinel will take 21 steps across the mat, past the Tomb. Once he reaches the other end, he will click his heels, make a sharp 90-degree right turn to the east (again, in the direction of the Tomb), click his heels, and then wait another 21 seconds before repeating the process, only this time in the other direction. The Changing of the Guard relief commander will come out, seemingly from nowhere, and will approach and salute the Tomb. He or she will turn to the crowd and ask you to rise and remain silent during the ceremony, all the while, the posted sentinel will continue with his routine. As the Relief Commander is speaking, the relief sentinel will appear. The commander will walk over to the relief sentinel (this is why we suggest positioning yourself on the right side of the grandstand). The commander will conduct a full inspection of the new sentinel, inspecting the weapon and the sentinel himself. This is a real inspection and the relief sentinel can be sent away, leaving the current sentinel in place till the next scheduled Changing of the Guard. If approved, both the relief commander and relief sentinel will walk to the middle to meet with the posted sentinel, all the while keeping in step with each other. At this point, the relief commander will complete the ceremony by having the posted sentinel step off of the mat and face the relief sentinel. Both sentinels will acknowledge each other with orders. All three will salute the Tomb. Then the relief sentinel will step onto the mat and take over where the now relieved sentinel left off. Both the relief commander and the relieved sentinel will walk off (all amazingly in step with each other) and exit off the right, which concludes the ceremony.

Continue ReadingThe ceremonial Changing of the Guard takes place 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. It has taken place without interruption since 1937. Neither whether nor acts of terrorism have prevented it from taking place. Before the Changing of the Guard, you will see a lone sentinel, sharply dressed in formal Army attire. At a certain point, the Sentinel will take 21 steps across the mat, past the Tomb. Once he reaches the other end, he will click his heels, make a sharp 90-degree right turn to the east (again, in the direction of the Tomb), click his heels, and then wait another 21 seconds before repeating the process, only this time in the other direction. The Changing of the Guard relief commander will come out, seemingly from nowhere, and will approach and salute the Tomb. He or she will turn to the crowd and ask you to rise and remain silent during the ceremony, all the while, the posted sentinel will continue with his routine. As the Relief Commander is speaking, the relief sentinel will appear. The commander will walk over to the relief sentinel (this is why we suggest positioning yourself on the right side of the grandstand). The commander will conduct a full inspection of the new sentinel, inspecting the weapon and the sentinel himself. This is a real inspection and the relief sentinel can be sent away, leaving the current sentinel in place till the next scheduled Changing of the Guard. If approved, both the relief commander and relief sentinel will walk to the middle to meet with the posted sentinel, all the while keeping in step with each other. At this point, the relief commander will complete the ceremony by having the posted sentinel step off of the mat and face the relief sentinel. Both sentinels will acknowledge each other with orders. All three will salute the Tomb. Then the relief sentinel will step onto the mat and take over where the now relieved sentinel left off. Both the relief commander and the relieved sentinel will walk off (all amazingly in step with each other) and exit off the right, which concludes the ceremony.

Bravo Company carries a flag-draped casket of an honored veteran to their final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery. Burial flags used for military honors at Arlington National Cemetery measure 5′ x 9 ½’. Most funeral homes will obtain the U.S. flag on behalf of the veteran’s family. Requests for a burial flag must be made at the time of need (time of death). When seen throughout Arlington National Cemetery these flag-draped caskets represent the burial of a service member with honors. This image was captured by our team at @arlingtonmedia.

Continue ReadingBravo Company carries a flag-draped casket of an honored veteran to their final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery. Burial flags used for military honors at Arlington National Cemetery measure 5′ x 9 ½’. Most funeral homes will obtain the U.S. flag on behalf of the veteran’s family. Requests for a burial flag must be made at the time of need (time of death). When seen throughout Arlington National Cemetery these flag-draped caskets represent the burial of a service member with honors. This image was captured by our team at @arlingtonmedia.