John B. Sassaman
Tomb Position
SentinelTomb Relief
1stHighest Military Rank
SergeantTomb Dates
Jan 1971 - Nov 1971Society Membership
Founding FatherHome City / State
Grosse Pointe, MICurrent City / State
Northville, MIObituary
John Sassaman moved from Pennsylvania to Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan in 1951 at the age of 7. After high school he joined the U.S. Army and was sent to Arlington Cemetery to serve as an honorary guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Following his service to our Country, John attended and graduated from the Detroit School of Mortuary Science. The care, devotion and respect he demonstrated in the Army was put to good use in this new career, working with grieving families.
John moved to Northville in 1986 and purchased the funeral home on Seven Mile and Northville Roads. He immediately settled into the community, where his passion for serving was evidenced through his participation in groups such as the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Civic Concern and Habitat for Humanity. He even joined the City of Northville Fire Department.
In 2010 John was diagnosed with cancer. As the treatments began to take their toll, John was no longer able to serve families the way he wanted to. So, in 2014 he sold his funeral home to the Griffin family, knowing that they would proudly continue what he had worked so hard to establish.
John will be remembered as a caring, kindhearted man who put service to community at the forefront of his life. The Griffin Family is proud to continue John's legacy, promising to provide care, empathy and respect to the people of the Northville area.
Outside Tributes
TributeMemories & Condolences
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Units & Campaigns
3d United States Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)Awards & Decorations
National Defense Service MedalArmy Service Ribbon
Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Identification Badge
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The Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (SHGTUS) is able to provide our programs, events, assistance, scholarships, and services due to the generosity of its members, organizations, and individuals. SHGTUS does not receive institutional funding. Note: The Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a 501(c)(3) organization, so your contributions may be fully tax deductible.
Learn More
Did you know?
Are the shoes specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet?
The shoes are standard issue military dress shoes. They are built up so the sole and heel are equal in height. This allows the Sentinel to stand with a straight back and perpendicular to the ground. A side effect of this is that the Sentinel can "roll" on the outside of the build up walking down the mat. Done correctly, the hat and bayonet will appear to not "bob" up and down with each step. It gives a more formal, fluid and smooth look to the walk, rather than a "marching" appearance.
The soles have a steel tip on the toe and a "horseshoe" steel plate on the heel. This prevents wear on the sole and allows the Sentinel to move smoothly during his movements when he turns to face the Tomb and then back down the mat.
Then there is the "clicker". It is a shank of steel attached to the inside of the face of the heel build-up on each shoe. It allows the Sentinel to heel click during certain movements. A guard change is considered great when all the heel clicks fall together and sound as one click. The guard change is occasionally done in the "silent" mode (as a sign of devotion to the Unknowns) with no voice commands - every thing is done in relation to the heel clicks and on specific counts.
